Forty years. That is how long Canada waited between their first World Cup appearance, in 1986, and their first ever World Cup victory. On June 18, playing in front of a packed BC Place in Vancouver, they made history in some style: 6-0 against Qatar, with their star striker Jonathan David scoring a hat-trick.
The Rout Unfolds
The match did not start as a thrashing. Cyle Larin put Canada ahead in the 16th minute on a rebound after Qatar goalkeeper Abunada punched away David's volley, and it was David himself who made it 2-0 with a right-footed volley in the 29th minute. Three-nil before half-time — David completing the first-half hat-trick with a scrambled finish in stoppage time — and the tone was set. Qatar were subsequently reduced to nine men across the match (two red cards), Nathan Saliba added a free-kick goal in the 64th, and an own goal from Manai in the 75th took the score to five. David completed his treble in the third minute of stoppage time. Six-nil. History, loud and unmistakable.
A Shadow on the Celebration
The occasion, though, carried a bittersweet note. Ismaël Koné, one of Canada's most exciting midfielders, was stretchered off with a serious lower leg injury after a reckless challenge from Qatar's Assim Madibo, who was sent off for the foul. In the stadium, the celebrations for Canada were shot through with real concern for Koné. A night of joy and worry, compressed into one remarkable evening.
Elsewhere in the Tournament
Elsewhere, Mexico continued their perfect start to the tournament with a 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara. It was not a classic — the only goal came in the 50th minute when South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with his own teammate and the ball fell to Luis Romo, who hooked it into the empty net. Unglamorous, but Mexico did not care. Two wins from two, and effectively through to the knockout stage.
In Seattle, Switzerland dismantled Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, though the match was even until a red card for Bosnian defender Muharemovic in the 80th minute swung it dramatically. Swiss substitute Johan Manzambi scored moments after coming on with a sumptuous finish, Vargas added a third, Granit Xhaka converted a late penalty, and Manzambi got his second in the 90th. Bosnia pulled one back through Mahmic in injury time, but the damage was done. Switzerland top Group B with six points from two games.
In Atlanta, South Africa and Czechia played out a 1-1 draw — Sadílek opened early, Mokoena levelled from the penalty spot — which keeps both teams in the hunt for the knockout stages with one group match to play.