Canada notches first men's World Cup win, 6-0 over Qatar
Jonathan David scored a hat trick as the hosts dominated at BC Place on June 19, advancing Canada's tournament hopes.
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Canada made men's World Cup history Thursday at BC Place, demolishing Qatar 6-0 in a performance that erased decades of futility.
Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute off a rebound. Jonathan David then took over, firing home a volley in the 29th minute to make it 2-0. David struck again just before halftime, and added a third in the 92nd minute—the first hat trick by any player for a men's World Cup host nation team in 60 years.
Nathan Saliba and Jacob Shaffelburg added goals in the second half. The one shadow fell early in the second half when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a gruesome broken leg—fractured fibula and tibia—that saw him stretchered off. "It happened right in front of the bench," coach Jesse Marsch said. "We could all hear it."
Koné's injury sparked two straight red cards for Qatar. Assim Madibo was sent off for the tackle that caused the break; Homam Ahmed had been dismissed in the first half. Marsch said Madibo visited Koné in the locker room to apologize.
With the win, Canada sits atop Group B with a massive +6 goal differential. A win or draw Wednesday against Switzerland at BC Place would clinch first place and keep Canada in Vancouver for the Round of 32—potentially the knockout round too if they advance further.
"It's a massive carrot for us," Canadian defender Alistair Johnston said post-match. "Just getting to the knockout stage was the main goal, but now you see where we're at in this group, it becomes a possibility."