VANCOUVER, Canada — Jonathan David netted a brilliant hat-trick as tournament co-hosts Canada secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory with a dominant 6-0 thrashing of Qatar at a packed BC Place.
The Group B encounter on Thursday night, June 18, 2026, was played before a raucous home crowd of over 52,000 fans, though a horrific leg injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné cast a shadow over the historic celebration.
Okay News sports reports that the North Americans opened their account in the 15th minute when Cyle Larin capitalized on defensive vulnerability to slide home the opener. Juventus forward Jonathan David quickly doubled the advantage, unleashing a powerful volley past Qatari goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham. The Asian side’s disciplinary lines collapsed in the 33rd minute when Homam Ahmed was shown a straight red card after a VAR review upgraded his cynical challenge on Tajon Buchanan, allowing David to pounce on a rebound just before the break to make it 3-0.
The match turned highly physical in the second half when Qatar’s Assim Madibo was sent off in the 53rd minute for an aggressive tackle that left Ismaël Koné with a suspected broken leg. Reduced to nine men, Qatar could not stop the onslaught as substitute Nathan Saliba added a fourth on the hour mark, emotionally holding up Koné’s jersey in tribute. An own goal by Mohamed Manai and a stoppage-time tap-in completed David’s hat-trick, sealing the 6-0 victory. Canada now needs just a single point in their final group match against Switzerland on Wednesday to secure the top spot in Group B.
