Nathan Saliba honors injured Ismaël Koné in heartbreaking World Cup moment after wonder strike

Nathan Saliba delivered one of Canada’s most touching World Cup moments shortly after coming on for the injured Ismaël Koné.

Canada were already in control against Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver, but the mood shifted when Koné was forced off with a serious leg injury in the second half. Saliba came on in his place and quickly turned a painful moment into one of unity.

He then stepped up to take a free kick and curled it in off the post. Rather than celebrating for himself, Saliba immediately paid tribute to Koné, holding up his teammate’s jersey and number.

Nathan Saliba tribute to Ismaël Koné follows stunning Canada free kick

ESPN FC highlighted that Saliba scored just minutes after replacing Koné, then held up the No. 8 and jersey for his injured teammate.

The free kick came in the 64th minute and became Canada’s fourth goal of the night. Technically, it was a brilliant strike, bent over the wall and in off the post. Emotionally, it became much more than that.

Saliba threw up the No. 8 as teammates gathered around him, making clear his first thought was with Koné. Reports said Canada’s players later went to the hospital to be with the injured midfielder after the game.

That is what made the moment hit so hard. Saliba had just scored a dream World Cup goal, but the chance only came because a teammate had been taken off in pain.

Canada’s historic World Cup win came with painful Koné injury

Canada beat Qatar 6-0 in Group B, recording their first men’s World Cup victory in emphatic fashion. Jonathan David scored a hat trick, while Cyle Larin also found the net and Mohammed Manai added an own goal.

Qatar’s night fell apart with two red cards, one to Homam Ahmed in the first half and another to Assim Madibo after the break.

For Canada, the result pushed them to the top of the group and showed how dangerous Jesse Marsch’s side can be on home soil.

But Koné’s injury kept the night from feeling purely celebratory. Saliba’s strike will be remembered for its quality, but his gesture will be remembered for what it said about Canada’s locker room.

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