Jonathan David's hat trick propels
Canada to its first World Cup win, 6-0 over Qatar
[June 19, 2026]
By ANNE M. PETERSON
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — While Canada made World Cup
history against Qatar, its celebration was tempered by concern for
an injured teammate.
Jonathan David scored three goals and Canada won its first World Cup
match while all but securing a spot in the knockout round with a 6-0
victory over Qatar on Thursday.
Qatar was reduced to nine players because of red cards in the
chaotic match. Assim Madibo was handed a red early in the second
half after a tackle on Ismaël Koné, who was stretchered off with a
broken left leg. Homan Ahmed was sent off in the first half for a
challenge on Tajon Buchanan.
With the outburst of scoring, Canada tripled its overall World Cup
goal total. Cyle Larin scored in the Canadians' opening draw against
Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Alphonso Davies scored four years ago in a
loss to Croatia in Qatar, where Canada also got on the board with an
own goal by Morocco. The Canadians were shut out three times in the
1986 World Cup.
“No one will forget this, and no Canadian will forget this day,”
said coach Jesse Marsch, who held up six fingers as he walked off
the field. “It’s an incredibly seminal moment for everyone to
understand that there’s talent in this country, that there’s
mentality, that there’s desire, that there’s a lot of things that
make this country special.”
And the supporters who packed BC Place were ecstatic.
“We’re soaking up history right here,” fan Matthias Kempe said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the 52,497 fans in
attendance after missing the game in Toronto last week because of
the G7 summit in France. He sat with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“It was amazing. After every goal it got louder and louder,” David
said. “It gave us motivation to get the next goal and the next
goal.”
Canada's triumph was marred by its anguish over Koné's injury.
Teammates surrounded him in concern after he was tackled from behind
and crumpled to the pitch with his lower left leg bent at a
gruesome-looking angle. Madibo was clearly distraught before he was
ejected.
Koné was taken to a hospital, were he was preparing for surgery. His
family was with him, said Marsch, who confirmed the player's leg was
broken.
[to top of second column] |
Canada's Jonathan David, front right, celebrates with Stephen
Eustaquio,left, after scoring a goal during World Cup Group B soccer
match between Canada and Qatar in Vancouver, British Columbia,
Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Larin scored his second goal of the tournament on a
rebound in the 16th minute. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada punched
away David’s volley but it fell to Larin, who pointed to his ears in
celebration as the red-clad crowd roared.
David doubled the lead with a right-footed volley
in the 29th, for his first goal in the run of play in more than a
year.
Ahmed was sent off with a red card in the 33rd. The official
initially pointed to the penalty spot, but after video review Canada
was given a free kick just outside the box and the initial yellow
card handed to Ahmed was changed to red.
Canada made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time when David scored in
a scramble in front of the net off a shot that caromed off the
crossbar. Qatari players stood with their hands on their hips in
frustration while Canada celebrated.
Nathan Saliba, who came in as a substitute for Koné, scored on a
free kick in the 64th to make it 4-0. Mohamed Manai deflected a shot
past his goalkeeper for an own goal in the 75th.
David completed the hat trick in stoppage time, joining Argentina’s
Lionel Messi as the only players with three goals in a match in this
World Cup.
“It was a very tough match for many reasons. The players did their
best. It was very difficult to face this match with two players less
with this environment,” Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said.
Qatar scored a stoppage-time goal to earn a surprising 1-1 draw with
Group B favorite Switzerland in its opener. The Persian Gulf country
is still looking for its first World Cup win after losing all of its
group matches four years ago as the host.
Switzerland defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 earlier in the day in
Group B.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
