Canada midfielder Ismael Kone suffered a serious leg injury in their Group B match with Qatar, which saw opponent Assim Madibo shown a straight red card.
Players created a protective ring around the injured Kone on the pitch before he was stretchered from the field and tended to by medical personnel.
The 24-year-old Sassuolo midfielder was injured shortly after half-time with Canada already three goals to the good against a 10-man Qatar outfit.
Ismael Kone suffers major injury in Canada World Cup match
Julen Lopetegui's Qatar had already been reduced to 10 during the first half after a last-man challenge saw Homam Elamim sent for an early bath.
Madibo followed him, visibly affected by the injury Kone had sustained as a result of his challenge.
Canada forward Jonathan David was brought to tears as the Canucks huddled before resuming the game. There was a five-minute delay to proceedings whilst Kone was treated and stabilised on the pitch.
He was then wheeled away on a stretcher, using oxygen provided by emergency first responders, and waved to supporters present at BC Place in Vancouver.
The tackle, which initially saw Qatar player Madibo shown a yellow card, was deemed worth of an expulsion after review by the VAR team.
What had been a jubilant atmosphere in Vancouver, as Canada were en route to a first ever World Cup Finals victory, became a great deal more hushed due to the severity of Kone's injury.
It is expected the former Watford and Rennes man will miss the remainder of Canada's tournament.
