Marsch walks – Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar in Group B was overshadowed after midfielder Ismael Kone suffered an apparent leg injury. FOX cameras caught a tense postgame exchange between Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui and Canada coach Jesse Marsch, who later declined to comment
VANCOUVER — Canada’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Qatar on Thursday in Group B didn’t finish cleanly. In the middle of a dominant offensive stretch. midfielder Ismael Kone was forced to leave the field in the second half with an apparent leg injury after Qatar substitute Assim Madibo came in for the tackle.
The moment quickly turned ugly. Madibo entered and made the challenge that led to him being sent off with a red card. Kone was then stretchered off the field in Vancouver after medical staff tended to him, including placing an air cast on his leg.
The injury set the tone for what followed. FOX cameras captured a testy interaction on the field after the final whistle between Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui and Canada coach Jesse Marsch. Marsch walked away from the brief exchange and threw his hands up as the tension lingered.
When asked about it at his postgame press conference, Marsch shut down the topic. “I’m not spending one second, it’s not worth any of our time to discuss,” he said.
Lopetegui kept it short in response to questions about the clash. “It’s between him and me.”
As Canada processed the win and the shock of the injury. Marsch made Kone the clear focus when speaking to reporters. “Ismael is such a great kid, he’s imperfect but that is why we love him,” Marsch said after the game. “He can do things that no other player can do. He embodies a lot of what this team is. He was our best player against Bosnia.”.
“He is a huge loss for us. Our hearts are with him, but that kid has a huge future.”
Canada Qatar Jesse Marsch Julen Lopetegui Ismael Kone Assim Madibo World Cup Group B red card injury Vancouver
That red card looked wild, wow.
So Marsch walked away but also threw his hands up?? Sounds like he’s mad at the ref or something. Hope Kone is okay, leg injuries are scary.
I don’t get it, if the coach said “it’s between him and me” then why are they even filming it on FOX like it’s drama. Also was the red card because he tackled the wrong guy? Like, Madibo came in and then instantly got sent off, so the whole game just turned into a mess.
This is exactly why I hate when teams are up 6-0, they should’ve slowed down instead of going for more. People acting like Qatar just ‘made a tackle’ but it felt intentional from the cameras. Then Marsch won’t talk about it like he’s guilty or something lol. Meanwhile Kone’s out there with an air cast… hope he heals fast.