Canada routs Qatar 6-0 for first World Cup win as Kone injury mars match
Jonathan David scored three times in Vancouver, but Canada’s historic win was overshadowed by Ismael Kone’s injury and two Qatar red cards.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Canada beat Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver on Thursday to record the men’s team’s first World Cup victory, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Jonathan David’s hat-trick put Canada in position to top Group B, while midfielder Ismael Kone’s serious injury and two Qatar red cards overshadowed the result.
The Group B match at BC Place was Canada’s clearest World Cup breakthrough, with Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba and a Qatar own goal also contributing to the scoreline. Al Jazeera and AFP reported that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among those watching as Les Rouges took control.
Canada takes control before injury
Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute before David struck twice in the first half, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Qatar’s Homam Ahmed was sent off before halftime, leaving the visitors short-handed early in a match that kept deteriorating for them.
The game changed again in the 51st minute when Qatar’s Assim Madibo challenged Kone from behind. Al Jazeera and AFP reported that Kone was left on the ground holding his left leg as Canadian players urgently called for medical help.
Kone was taken off on a stretcher while using oxygen, and he waved to the crowd as he left the field, according to the report. Madibo was first shown a yellow card, but the decision was changed to a red card after a VAR review, reducing Qatar to nine men.
David completes hat-trick
Canada added three more goals after Qatar’s second dismissal. Saliba, who came on for Kone, scored from a free kick in the 64th minute and then went to the sideline to hold up a replica of Kone’s Canada jersey, pointing to the midfielder’s No. 8.
Jacob Shaffelburg later forced the fifth goal when his shot was turned into Qatar’s net by defender Mohamed Manai, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. David completed the rout in the second minute of stoppage time, finishing his hat-trick and Canada’s sixth goal.
Al Jazeera and AFP reported that David’s hat-trick was the 56th in men’s World Cup history and the second of the 2026 tournament. Lionel Messi had scored the first hat-trick of this edition in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria.
David also became the first men’s player from CONCACAF to score a World Cup hat-trick since 1930, according to the report. He is also the first Canadian man to score more than once in a World Cup match.
Group picture and aftermath
The result means Canada needs a draw against Switzerland in its final group match to finish first in Group B, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina are set to meet Wednesday with third place in the group at stake.
Tension continued after the final whistle, when players from both teams clashed near the halfway line. Al Jazeera and AFP reported that FIFA volunteers and team staff stepped in to separate the sides.
David said afterward that Kone’s injury made it hard for Canada to keep its attention on the match. “We just wanted the game to end so we could all be together,” he said, while also calling the win historic for the country.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.