The Canadian national team secured their first-ever victory in the final stages of the FIFA World Cup by thrashing Qatar in the second round group stage match – 6:0. Thanks to this win, Jesse Marsch’s side earned four points and took a crucial step towards advancing to the knockout stage of the home World Cup.
The Canadians immediately took the initiative and managed to open the scoring in the 16th minute when Kyle Larin successfully capitalized on a rebound. The hosts’ second wave of attack led to Jonathan David’s goal in the 29th minute – after a deflection, the ball conveniently landed at the Juventus forward’s foot, who volleyed it into the near lower corner.
The key moment of the first half occurred in the 33rd minute when the guest defender Homam Ahmed fouled on the edge of the penalty area and was sent off after VAR intervention. Before the break, David took advantage of the numerical superiority and completed his brace – 3:0.
The second half started disastrously for Qatar. In the 51st minute, Assim Madibo made a rough tackle against Ismael Koné, causing a serious injury to the Canadian. The referee again consulted the VAR and sent off the offender, leaving the visitors with nine men. Koné was stretchered off the field.
Nathan Saliba, who came on as a substitute for him, scored directly from a free kick in the 64th minute to extend the scoreline. Eleven minutes later, Qatari midfielder Mohamed Manaï scored an own goal after a flank cross. The final touch in the game came in the second added minute when David completed a historic first Canadian hat-trick at the World Cup.
Thanks to an excellent goal difference (7:1), the Canadian team significantly increases their chances of advancing to the knockout stage. To maintain first place in Group B, the World Cup hosts need only to avoid defeat against Switzerland in the final round.
World Cup 2026
Canada – Qatar 6:0 (3:0)
Goals: K. Larin, 16 (1:0); J. David, 29 (2:0); J. David, 45 (3:0); Saliba, 64 (4:0); Manaï, 75 (own goal) (5:0); J. David, 92 (6:0)
