Striker Jonathan David delivered a magical night and scored a hat-trick as co-hosts Canada crushed nine-man Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver – one of the tournament’s biggest surprises so far.
Despite Canada losing Ismaël Koné to a serious injury, the hosts now have four points from their first two games and are very much in a position to advance from the group stage for the first time in their history.
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Jesse Marsch’s side were ruthless from the first kick, and Qatar had zero response to their straight-forward attacking play. Both Cyle Larin and Jonathan David scored within the first half hour.
Qatar was reduced to ten men when Homam El Amin received a red card, and David ensured his second goal before half-time.
Serious injury marked the victory
Canada’s big win was unfortunately marked by what looked like a serious injury to Koné. The midfielder was carried off the pitch on a stretcher early in the second half, in an incident that also led to Assim Madibo being sent off.
Players from both teams were shocked by the injury, but the Sassuolo player finally sat up and waved to the crowd as he left the pitch.
Nathan Saliba hit a free-kick, Canada forced an own goal from Mohammad Al Manai, before David crowned the evening with his third goal in injury time.
With his hat-trick, he is now tied with the legendary Lionel Messi in the battle for the Golden Boot.
The attack flourished without Davies
Canada started with high intensity. Juventus striker David had a volley saved by Mahmoud Abunada early on, before really waking up the home crowd.
Southampton striker Cyle Larin was also very dangerous, and soon became the first Canadian player to score more than once in a men’s World Cup – with a predatory finish.
David’s powerful shot was unleashed by Abunada, and Larin – who last week secured Canada’s first ever draw at the World Cup – was in the right place at the right time and knocked in the loose ball. It was his 32nd international goal.
Star player Alphonso Davies was again benched with a hamstring injury, but Canada’s attack clearly didn’t need him. David soon increased to 2-0.
Red card and penalty drama
David turned and hammered in a volley after a shot from Tajon Buchanan was blocked – and the home crowd exploded in cheers.
Only moments later, Buchanan stormed through alone and was pushed over by El Amin. Referee Cristian Reyes pointed to the penalty mark.
After a VAR review, the decision was changed to a free kick just outside the box, and El Amin had the yellow card upgraded to red for denying a goal chance.
It was the fifth red card of the tournament – and thus we have already seen more than during the entire Qatar World Cup four years ago.
Ali Ahmed fired the free-kick over, before Buchanan had a shot cleared on the line.
Number two for David – before the injury nightmare
Canada was completely superior, and record scorer David secured his second goal in injury time of the first half, when he turned in from close range after Larin had a header saved.
Qatar lined up in a 5-5 formation in the second half to limit the loss, but then came the nightmare: Koné was caught by Madibo, and the break was long and dramatic. Players and referees from both teams gathered around the injured midfielder.
Madibo initially received a yellow card, but after a review it was upgraded to red – and Qatar was left with nine players in the last 35 minutes.
Hat-trick completed in overtime
Saliba then fired a free-kick – the first of the tournament – to make it 4-0. Then Al Manai put a shot from Jacob Shaffelburg into his own goal.
David completed his hat-trick in the 92nd minute when he received a shot from Saliba, turned and fired in – his 42nd international goal.
Group B concludes on June 24, with Canada against Switzerland and Qatar against Bosnia. Both Canada and Switzerland now have four points after Switzerland’s big win earlier on Thursday.
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