Canada announce themselves with six-goal rout

TDT | Manama

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Co-hosts Canada produced a historic performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver, thrashing Qatar 6–0 to secure their first-ever victory at the tournament. The emphatic result moved the Canadians to the brink of qualification for the knockout stages from Group B.

Jonathan David stole the headlines with a superb hat-trick, while Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba also found the net. An own goal from Mohamed Manai completed an emphatic win in a chaotic encounter that saw Qatar reduced to nine men.

Canada made a bright start and took the lead in the 16th minute. David's volley was parried by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, but the rebound fell kindly to Larin, who reacted quickest to slot home his second goal of the tournament.

The Canadians doubled their advantage in the 29th minute when David met a cross with a right-footed volley that flew into the back of the net, ending a year-long wait for a goal from open play.

Qatar's task became even more difficult four minutes later when Homan Ahmed was shown a red card for a challenge on Tajon Buchanan. The referee initially awarded a penalty and a yellow card, before a VAR review overturned the decision to a free kick outside the box and upgraded the booking to a dismissal.

Canada capitalised on their numerical advantage just before halftime. Following a scramble in the penalty area, a shot struck the crossbar before falling kindly for David, who converted from close range to make it 3–0.

The second half was overshadowed by a serious injury to Ismaël Koné, who was stretchered off after a challenge from Assim Madibo. The Qatar midfielder was shown a straight red card, reducing his side to nine men and handing Canada an even greater advantage.

Substitute Nathan Saliba added a fourth in the 64th minute with a well-taken free kick. Eleven minutes later, Canada's relentless pressure forced another breakthrough when Mohamed Mannai inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

David completed a memorable evening in stoppage time, securing his hat-trick and becoming only the second player, after Lionel Messi, to score three goals in a match at this year's World Cup.

The victory leaves Canada in a strong position in Group B after opening their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Switzerland's 4–1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier in the day means the Canadians are now firmly on course for a place in the last 32.

For Qatar, the heavy defeat marked another disappointing chapter in their World Cup history as they continue their search for a first victory on football's biggest stage.