Canada made history on Friday with its first-ever World Cup victory, a 6-0 demolition of Qatar in Vancouver. The result, in Canada’s eighth match at the tournament, gives Jesse Marsch’s team its first three points in the competition and moves it to the top of Group B with four points, level with Switzerland. Qatar, the Asian champion, finished the match with nine players.
Jonathan David was the standout performer, completing a hat-trick with goals in the 29th, 45th and 92nd minutes. He opened the scoring with a superb volley after Canada had already gone ahead through Jonathan David? no, through Southampton striker Cyle Larin, who pounced on a rebound in the 16th minute for his second goal of the tournament. David then doubled the lead, taking a ball in the air and firing home, before adding his second in first-half stoppage time for his 41st international goal.
Qatar’s task became even harder when Homam Ahmed was sent off in the 31st minute. After the break, Assim Madibo was also dismissed for a hard foul on Ismaeil Kone, who had to be stretchered off, leaving Qatar with nine men. Substitute Dylan Saliba scored a brilliant free kick in the 63rd minute and celebrated by holding up Kone’s shirt in tribute.
Canada added a fifth through a Mohammed Al Mannai own goal in the 75th minute, before David sealed the six-goal win at the end. The result puts Canada in control ahead of its final Group B match against Switzerland, while Qatar must beat Bosnia in its last game if it wants to keep alive its hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
