Jonathan David scored a hat-trick at the Vancouver Stadium on Friday night as the co-hosts Canada thrashed Qatar 6-0 to secure the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup win.
It was an eventful match, which saw Qatar receive two red cards.
Homam Elamin was the first to be sent off for Qatar in the 33rd minute for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after bringing down Tajon Buchanan on the edge of the box.
The second red card came eight minutes into the second half after a clumsy tackle by Assim Madibo on Ismael Kone fractured the leg of the Canadian midfielder, which is expected to rule him out of the remainder of the World Cup.
Before the first red card, the Canadians were already leading 2-0 courtesy of goals by Cyle Larin and David, who later scored again in the added time of the first half to net his brace and extend his country’s advantage at the break.
Nathan Saliba scored the Reds’ fourth goal in the 64th minute from a direct free kick before midfielder Mohamed Al Mannai fired the ball into his own net to make it 5-0.
David sealed the victory for Canada with his third goal of the match from an effortless strike from the edge of the box to crown his incredible performance.
Canada lead Group B with four points, level with Switzerland, with both sides on the verge of advancing to the Round of 32.
