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06/18/26 08:24:00
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06/18 20:23 CDT Jonathan David's hat trick propels Canada to its first World
Cup win, 6-0 over Qatar
Jonathan David's hat trick propels Canada to its first World Cup win, 6-0 over
Qatar
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Soccer Writer
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) --- Jonathan David scored three goals and
Canada won its first World Cup match while all but securing a spot in the
knockout round with a 6-0 victory over Qatar on Thursday.
Qatar was reduced to nine players because of red cards in the chaotic match.
Assim Madibo was handed a red early in the second half after a tackle on Ismal
Kon, who was stretchered off with a broken left leg. Homan Ahmed was sent off
in the first half for a challenge on Tajon Buchanan.
With the outburst of scoring, Canada tripled its overall World Cup goal total.
Cyle Larin scored in the Canadians' opening draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina,
and Alphonso Davies scored four years ago in a loss to Croatia in Qatar, where
Canada also got on the board with an own goal by Morocco. The Canadians were
shut out three times in the 1986 World Cup.
"No one will forget this, and no Canadian will forget this day," said coach
Jesse Marsch, who held up six fingers as he walked off the field. "It's an
incredibly seminal moment for everyone to understand that there's talent in
this country, that there's mentality, that there's desire, that there's a lot
of things that make this country special."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the 52,497 fans at BC Place after
missing the game in Toronto last week because of the G7 summit in France. He
sat with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Canada's triumph was marred by its anguish over Kon's injury. Teammates
surrounded him in concern after he was tackled from behind and crumpled to the
pitch with his lower left leg bent at a gruesome-looking angle. Madibo was
clearly distraught before he was ejected.
Kon was taken to a hospital, were he was preparing for surgery. His family was
with him, Marsch said.
Larin scored his second goal of the tournament on a rebound in the 16th minute.
Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada punched away David's volley but it fell to
Larin, who pointed to his ears in celebration as the red-clad crowd roared.
David doubled the lead with a right-footed volley in the 29th, for his first
goal in the run of play in more than a year.
Ahmed was sent off with a red card in the 33rd. The official initially pointed
to the penalty spot, but after video review Canada was given a free kick just
outside the box and the initial yellow card handed to Ahmed was changed to red.
Canada made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time when David scored in a scramble
in front of the net off a shot that caromed off the crossbar. Qatari players
stood with their hands on their hips in frustration while Canada celebrated.
Nathan Saliba, who came in as a substitute for Kon, scored on a free kick in
the 64th to make it 4-0. Mohamed Manai deflected a shot past his goalkeeper for
an own goal in the 75th.
David completed the hat trick in stoppage time, joining Argentina's Lionel
Messi as the only players with three goals in a match in this World Cup.
"It was a very tough match for many reasons. The players did their best. It was
very difficult to face this match with two players less with this environment,"
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said.
Canada captain Alphonso Davies was available after he missed the opener while
recovering from a hamstring injury, but he did not play. Mose Bombito was also
available after sitting out the first game and came in as a substitute in the
second half.
Qatar scored a stoppage-time goal to earn a surprising 1-1 draw with Group B
favorite Switzerland in its opener. The Persian Gulf country is still looking
for its first World Cup win after losing all of its group matches four years
ago as the host.
Switzerland defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 earlier in the day in Group B.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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