Jonathan David scored three goals and Canada won its first World Cup match 6-0 over Qatar on Thursday.
The AP reports that Qatar was reduced to nine players because of red cards in the chaotic match. Assim Madibo was handed a red early in the second half after a tackle on Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off with a broken left leg. Homan Ahmed was sent off in the first half for a challenge on Tajon Buchanon.
With the outburst of scoring, Canada tripled its overall World Cup goal total. Cyle Larin scored in the Canadians’ opening draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Alphonso Davies scored four years ago in a loss to Croatia in Qatar, where Canada also got on the board with an own goal by Morocco.
“No one will forget this, and no Canadian will forget this day,” said coach Jesse Marsch, who held up six fingers as he walked off the field. “It’s an incredibly seminal moment for everyone to understand that there’s talent in this country, that there’s mentality, that there’s desire, that there’s a lot of things that make this country special.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the 52,497 fans at BC Place after missing the game in Toronto last week because of the G7 summit in France. He sat with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Canada’s triumph was marred by its anguish over Kone’s injury. Teammates surrounded him in concern after he was tackled from behind and crumpled to the pitch with his lower left leg bent at a gruesome-looking angle.
Larin scored his second goal of the tournament on a rebound in the 16th minute. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunad punched away David’s volley but it fell to Larin, who pointed to his ears in celebration as the red-clad crowd roared.
David doubled the lead with a right-footed volley in the 29th, for his first goal in the run of play in more than a year.
Ahmed was sent off with a red card in the 33rd. The official initially pointed to the penalty spot, but after video review Canada was given a free kick just outside the box and the initial yellow card handed to Ahmed was changed to red.
Canada made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time when David scored in a scramble in front of the net off a shot that carooned off the crossbar. Qatari players stood with their hands on their hips in frustration while Canada celebrated.
Nathann Saliba who came in as substitute for Kone scored on a free kick in the 64th minute to make it 4-0. Mohamed Manai deflected a shot past his goalkeeper for an own goal in the 75th.
David completed the hat trick in stoppage time, joining Argentina’s Lionel Messi as the only players with three goals in a match in this |World Cup.
“It was a very tough match for many reasons. The players did their best. It was difficult to face this match with two players less with this environment,” Qatar coach Julien Lopategui said.
Canada captain Alphonso Davies was available after he missed the opener while recovering from a hamstring injury, but he did not play. Moise Bombito was also available after sitting out the first game and came in as a substitute in the second half.
