LOS ANGELES: Canada produced a commanding performance to thrash nine-man Qatar 6-0 on Thursday, registering their first-ever victory at a FIFA World Cup and keeping their qualification hopes firmly on track in Group B.
The result marked a historic breakthrough for the co-hosts, who had previously lost all six of their World Cup matches across the 1986 and 2022 editions.
However, Jesse Marsch’s side ended that winless run in emphatic fashion at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, delivering a dominant display in front of an energized home crowd that included Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Star striker Jonathan David stole the spotlight with a sensational hat-trick, while Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba added to the tally. Qatar also conceded an own goal from Mohammad Manai as Canada capitalised fully on their numerical advantage.
The match turned further in Canada’s favour after Qatar were reduced to nine men. Homam el-Amin was sent off in the first half for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, while Assim Madibo later received a red card following a dangerous challenge on Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg and taken to hospital for treatment.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that Kone was in hospital and expected to undergo surgery, describing the incident as deeply distressing for the squad.
Despite the setback, Canada dominated proceedings, scoring three times in the second half to significantly improve their goal difference. They now sit level on four points with Switzerland at the top of Group B and will likely need at least a draw in their final group match to secure top position.
Earlier in the day, Switzerland reignited their campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Johan Manzambi starred with a brace, while Ruben Vargas and Granit Xhaka also found the net in a strong late surge that underlined Switzerland’s ambition of progressing beyond the last 16 for the first time at the tournament.
Bosnia, who had previously shocked Italy in qualifying playoffs, now find themselves in a precarious position with just one point from two matches and their chances of advancement hanging by a thread.
Elsewhere in Group A action, South Africa kept their hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Atlanta. Teboho Mokoena converted a penalty after Michal Sadílek opened the scoring for the Czechs, leaving both sides level on one point.
The result keeps both teams in contention for the knockout stage, although victory in their final group fixtures will likely be essential.
Meanwhile, Mexico became the first team to book a place in the Round of 32 after a narrow 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara, a match overshadowed by reports of a drone incident near the South Korean training camp earlier in the week.
