Watch Canada's tribute to injured Ismael Kone after veteran midfielder exits game with gruesome leg injury

What was otherwise going to be a terrific day for Canada at the 2026 World Cup took a bad turn on Thursday when Ismael Kone went down with a gruesome leg injury.

After a tackle that resulted in a second red card for Qatar, Kone was left lying on the pitch with his lower left leg visibly out of place — a major injury that will likely end his time playing in the tournament. But in the moments afterward, Canada also had one of the more emotional moments of the World Cup so far.

Kone's replacement after the injury, Nathan Saliba, scored almost immediately afterward, then honored his teammate in celebration.

Here's a look at the emotional tribute from Saliba after Kone's scary injury in Canada vs. Qatar.

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Canada's tribute Ismael Kone

It took a lengthy delay in Thursday's match for Kone to leave the pitch with his left leg in an air cast while on a stretcher — but once he was heading back to the locker room and Qatar was assessed a red card, Saliba stepped onto the pitch for Canada.

On a free kick attempt, he then came through. Canada scored its fourth goal of the day as Saliba found the back of the net, and immediately after, he was seen making a No. 8 with his hands — the number of his injured teammate, Kone.

Nathan Saliba holds up a No. 8 after scoring in support of teammate Ismaël Koné, who exited the match after an injury. pic.twitter.com/Qw8RlL2FNS

Saliba also held up Kone's jersey in front of the home Canadian fans, an emotional moment as the team rolled to a 6-0 win.

MORE: The latest on Ismael Kone after leaving match vs. Qatar with significant injury 

Who is Nathan Saliba?

Saliba is a 22-year-old midfielder from Quebec, Canada, who plays for Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht and the Canadian national team.

He previously played in MLS; from 2020 to 2025, Saliba made 68 appearances with two goals for CF Montreal. In 2024, he was named to the MLS 22 Under 22 list and was nominated for the MLS Young Player of the Year award.

What happened to Ismael Kone?

Kone left Thursday's World Cup match against Qatar with a gruesome lower left leg injury after Qatar's Assim Madibo's sent him to the pitch on a tackle.

Madibo was given a red card in the aftermath of the tackle, with Canada coaches and players visibly angry at the play, and Kone needed a stretcher to come off the pitch.