BREAKING: Jonathan David Scores Hat-Trick As Canada Devour Qatar To Secure Their First-Ever #FIFAWorldCup Victory
Striker Jonathan David produced a stunning display to hit a hat-trick as co-hosts Canada thumped nine-man Qatar 6-0 for a famous maiden World Cup win in Vancouver.
Canada, who lost Ismael Kone to a serious-looking injury, now have four points from their opening two games and look well placed to progress from the group stage for the first time.
Jesse Marsch’s side were relentless from the off and Qatar had no answer to their direct, attacking play which saw Cyle Larin and David both score inside half an hour.
Qatar were reduced to 10 men as Homam El Amin saw red and David grabbed a second before the break.
Canada’s win was marred by what looked a severe injury to Kone who was carried off on a stretcher early in the second half in an incident which saw Assim Madibo dismissed.
Players from both sides were shocked by the injury but the Sassuolo midfielder did eventually sit up and wave to the crowd as he left the field.
Nathan Saliba hit a free-kick, Canada forced an own goal from Mohammad Al Manai before David rounded off a huge win with his third in stoppage time.
He draws level with the legendary Lionel Messi for the golden boot.
Canada made a bright start with Juventus forward David having a volley saved by Mahmoud Abunada before whipping up the home crowd.
Southampton forward Larin was looking dangerous and soon became the first Canada player to score more than once in the men’s World Cup with a predatory finish.
David’s powerful shot was spilled by Abunada and Larin, whose equaliser earned a first draw for Canada in World Cup history last week, pounced to turn in the loose ball for his 32nd international goal.
Star player Alphonso Davies was again restricted to the bench with a hamstring injury but Canada’s front two were firing without him and David soon made it 2-0.
David swivelled to smash in a volley after a shot from Tajon Buchanan was blocked and send the home crowd into delight.
And just moments later Buchanan streaked clear to be nudged over by El Amin and referee Cristian Reyes pointed to the spot.
After a VAR review the decision was changed to a free-kick just outside the box and as a result El Amin had his booking upgraded to a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
The fifth red card of the tournament means we have already had more than in the whole of the Qatar tournament four years ago.
Ali Ahmed fizzed the free-kick over the top before Buchanan had a shot cleared off the line.
Canada looked rampant and record scorer David poached a second in added time, turning in after Larin had seen a header saved.
Qatar lined up in a 5-5 formation for the second half to try and restrict the defeat and Canada then lost Kone to what looked like a broken leg.
He was caught by Madibo, who was distraught during a lengthy delay as players and officials from both sides clashed.
Madibo was initially booked but that was upgraded to a red card to leave Qatar with nine players for the final 35 minutes.
Saliba then fired in a free-kick – the first of the tournament – to make it 4-0 before Al Manai turned in a shot from Jacob Shaffelburg.
David rounded off his treble in the 92nd minute when he collected a shot from Saliba to turn and fire in to move onto 42 international goals.
Group B concludes on 24 June with Canada facing Switzerland and Qatar taking on Bosnia. Canada and the Swiss both have four points after Switzerland’s heavy win earlier on Thursday.
