David Hat-Trick Fires Canada to Historic 6-0 Win Over Nine-Man Qatar

Co-hosts Canada thrashed Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver, with a Jonathan David hat-trick securing their first ever World Cup victory and lifting them top of Group B, level on points with Switzerland but well ahead on goal difference heading into the final round of group games.

Canada were ruthless from kickoff and never let up. Cyle Larin opened the scoring inside the first 20 minutes, becoming the first Canadian to score more than once at a men's World Cup after his finish from a loose ball. 

David doubled the lead soon after with a smart turn-and-volley, then added a second before half-time, as Qatar's afternoon unravelled further when Homam El Amin was sent off.

The game was overshadowed in the second half by a serious-looking injury to Canada's Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off after a challenge from Qatar's Assim Madibo. Players from both sides looked shaken by the incident, though Kone was able to sit up and wave to the crowd as he left the pitch. 

Madibo's initial yellow card was upgraded to a red after a VAR review, leaving Qatar to play the final 35 minutes with nine men.

Canada continued to pour forward. Nathan Saliba added a fourth with what was the tournament's first direct free-kick goal, before an own goal from Mohammad Al Manai made it five. David completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, turning home a low ball from Saliba to seal the rout and move to 42 international goals, drawing him level with Lionel Messi at the top of this tournament's scoring charts.

Canada manager Jesse Marsch will have been encouraged by his side's attacking threat even without the injured Alphonso Davies, who was an unused substitute again because of a hamstring problem. Qatar switched to a back five in search of damage limitation but had no way back once down to nine men.

The result means five red cards have now been shown at this World Cup, already more than the entire 2022 tournament in Qatar. 

Group B will be decided on Wednesday 24 June, with Canada hosting Switzerland in Vancouver and Qatar facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle.