It was a World Cup night without the tournament’s biggest powers, but it still produced a flood of goals, a major injury scare, and a new round of qualification drama. Canada beat Qatar 6-0 for its first ever World Cup win, Switzerland defeated Bosnia 4-1 with a late burst from substitutes, and Mexico edged South Korea 1-0 to become the first team through to the next stage and the first to clinch a group title.
Canada’s match in Group 2 was decided early. Kyle Larin scored in the 15th minute, Jonathan David added two before halftime in the 29th and 45th minutes, and Qatar went down to 10 men after Homam Ahmed was sent off in the 30th minute. The game then turned grim in the 53rd minute when Ismaël Koné was hit by a very hard challenge from Assim Madibo. Koné was in tears, both teams were shocked, and VAR upgraded the foul to a red card. Nathan Saliba, who replaced Koné, scored a minute later in tribute by lifting Koné’s shirt. Mohamed Mannai later scored an own goal in the 75th minute, and David completed his hat trick in the 92nd minute. Qatar finished with nine players, and the match ended with a brief scuffle.
Switzerland’s Group 2 win came late and was sparked by three substitutes. Murat Yakin’s triple change paid off immediately, with Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas involved in three goals in the final 16 minutes. After Tarik Muharemovic was sent off for Bosnia in the 71st minute, Vargas set up Manzambi for the opener in the 75th, scored himself in the 84th, and assisted Manzambi again in the 90th. Amir Muminic pulled one back in stoppage time, before veteran Granit Xhaka converted a penalty after Zdjibril Sow was fouled. Xhaka said his celebration, a shushing gesture, was aimed at the Swiss media after criticism following the 1-1 draw with Qatar.
Mexico, playing at Akron Stadium, beat South Korea after a shocking mistake by goalkeeper Kim Seong-gyu. Following a poor first half, Julian Quinones crossed in the 50th minute, Raul Jimenez headed on target, and Kim spilled the ball, allowing veteran Luis Romo, 31, to tap in. Mexico became the first team to secure a place in the round of 32, and also the first to guarantee first place in its group, before its final match against disappointing Czechia.
