Canada surged to the top of Group B after Jonathan David struck a hat-trick in a ruthless 6-0 demolition of nine-man Qatar, sealing the co-hosts’ first-ever World Cup finals victory in style.
The Lille forward led a clinical second-half blitz as Canada capitalised on a dramatic collapse from Qatar, who were reduced to nine players after two red cards turned the contest into a one-sided affair.
Cyle Larin opened the scoring by reacting quickest to a rebound before David took centre stage, volleying home Canada’s second and adding a composed finish for his brace before the break. The floodgates then opened after the interval.
Qatar’s resistance crumbled further when Homam Ahmed was dismissed in the 34th minute for a foul on Tajon Buchanan, overturning an initial penalty decision after VAR review. Their misery deepened early in the second half when Assim Madibo’s challenge on Ismael Kone earned a straight red card, leaving Qatar with nine men.
Canada made full use of the numerical advantage. Nathan Saliba lashed home a free-kick after coming on for the injured Kone, Mohamed Manai turned the ball into his own net, and David completed his hat-trick in stoppage time with a left-foot finish to seal a commanding win.
The result lifts Canada level on four points with Switzerland but ahead on goal difference, setting up a decisive final group clash between the two in Vancouver on June 24. Qatar, meanwhile, must regroup quickly before facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle.
