CANADA star Nathan Saliba paid tribute to injured Ismael Kone – after coming on to replace him.
Anderlecht star Saliba, 22, scored Canada’s fourth goal in their World Cup Group B rout of Qatar.
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Canada’s Nathan Saliba holds up the jersey of injured team-mate Ismael Kone after his goal Credit: AP
Kone suffered a serious injury in the game against Qatar Credit: Getty
He fell to the ground in agony and was taken off on a stretcher Credit: AP
But the game was marred by a horror injury to Kone.
The Canadian star suffered what appeared to be a serious injury to his leg on Thursday.
He left the field on a stretcher to a huge ovation from the crowd in Vancouver.
His replacement was Saliba in the 57th minute.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
Canada 6 Qatar 0
Ismael Kone injury updates as star suffers horror leg break as hosts win
And Saliba scored Canada’s fourth goal just seven minutes after coming on.
The 22-year-old then held up a shirt with Kone’s name and number on the back in tribute to the stricken teammate.
Saliba went on to assist Canada’s sixth goal on Thursday night.
His 92nd-minute assist set up Jonathan David to complete his hat-trick.
Cyle Larin gave co-hosts Canada the lead and they never looked back.
David scored twice in the first-half to make it 3-0 at the interval.
Mohammad Manai also scored an own-goal for nine-man Qatar after Saliba’s strike.
Canada moved top of Group B and will play Switzerland in the final group stage game.
Manager Jesse Marsch said: “Ismael is such a great kid – he’s so imperfect but that’s part of why you love him.
“Because he can do great things that nobody else can do, then the next moment he loses concentration.
“He embodies us as a team, it’s a huge loss for us.
“He’ll be fine, we’ll get him good doctors and get him back but that kid is a big part of our future and everything we do.”
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