Canada whitewash Qatar but Ismael Kone’s horrific injury overshadows their first-ever World Cup win
Host nation Canada carved out a piece of football history on Friday, thrashing Qatar 6-0 in a one-sided Group B match played at a rocking BC Place in Vancouver.
Jonathan David was the man of the hour, netting a brilliant hat-trick to star in the historic rout. With the win, Jesse Marsch’s side secured the largest margin of victory by a host nation in men’s World Cup history, while David became only the second player to score a 2026 World Cup hat-trick after Lionel Messi.
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David, who had failed to find the back of the net in his previous four World Cup appearances, broke his tournament duck in spectacular fashion. Fellow forward Cyle Larin and substitute Nathan Saliba were also on the scoresheet, alongside a Qatari own goal, to complete the six-goal demolition.
Canada hit the front early when Cyle Larin opened the scoring. David then joined the party in the 28th minute, dispatching a brilliant left-footed shot that beat the Qatar goalkeeper to double the hosts’ lead. He added his second in first-half stoppage time, pouncing sharply on a rebound at the near post.
Kone suffers injury
However, the otherwise dominant win for Canada was overshadowed by a horrific injury suffered by midfielder Ismaël Koné in the 54th minute. The Sassuolo star appeared to suffer a broken leg following a heavy challenge from behind by Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo.
Koné was later stretchered off the pitch in emotional scenes, bringing a devastating end to his World Cup campaign. A distraught Madibo, who was visibly close to tears, was shown a straight red card—marking the second expulsion of the night for the Asian side.
In an instant, heartfelt tribute, Nathan Saliba, who came on to replace the injured Koné, curled in a wonderful free-kick just minutes after entering the pitch. The midfielder immediately held up his teammate’s No. 8 jersey.
The goals kept coming for the hosts. In the 75th minute, Mohamed Naceur Manaï inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, deflecting a shot from Canadian winger Jacob Shaffelburg. David then completed his hat-trick in second-half stoppage time, blocking a header from teammate Larin before beating keeper Meshaal Barsham with a fine finish.
With this result, Canada moves to a 1-1-0 record (4 points) at the World Cup, following their historic first-ever point earned in a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The co-hosts now have a golden opportunity to finish top of Group B when they face Switzerland in their final group match next Wednesday.
Canada had failed to score a single goal during their debut tournament appearance at Mexico 1986 and managed just two goals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
