Canada wins first men's World Cup match, 6-0 over Qatar
Jonathan David scores hat trick at BC Place as Canada advances with historic blowout victory.
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Canada won its first men's FIFA World Cup match Thursday, June 18, defeating Qatar 6-0 at BC Place in a performance that silenced any doubts about the team's readiness on home soil.
Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Jonathan David, the 26-year-old Ottawa midfielder, then took over the match—scoring in the 29th minute, again before halftime, and once more in the 92nd minute for a hat trick. It was the first hat trick by any player for a World Cup host nation team in 60 years; England's Geoff Hurst last managed the feat in 1966.
The rout was the kind that erases years of frustration. Canada had never won a men's World Cup match before Thursday, despite competing in the tournament since 1986. Three goals total in all previous tournaments. David's three alone Thursday exceeded that entire history.
Qatar, the same team that tied Switzerland 1-1 in their opening match, had no answer. The visitors were reduced to nine players in the 51st minute when midfielder Assim Madibo was sent off—the second red card of the match. That's when the night's only somber moment arrived: Canadian midfielder Ismael Koné collided with Madibo and appeared to suffer a serious leg injury. Medical staff attended to him for over seven minutes before he was stretchered off to crowd applause.
Nathan Saliba replaced Koné and scored minutes later on a free kick, holding up Koné's jersey to the crowd. The gesture captured the mood: a team unified, a city watching, history being written.