Canada thrash 9-man Qatar for first-ever World Cup win

DUBAI: It took them two matches on home soil to get the result, but for the thousands of home fans packed into the BC Place stadium in Vancouver, Canada’s first-ever win at the World Cup was well worth the wait.

A comprehensive 6-0 win over 9-man Qatar catapulted the host nation to the top of Group B on 4 points, ahead of Switzerland on goal difference. With just one point, Qatar are bottom of the group, trailing Bosnia and Herzegovina, who earlier lost 4-1 to the Swiss, on goal difference.

Qatar and Canada went into their second match of the tournament having each claimed their first-ever point at the finals with draws in their opening games. Both also knew a win would guarantee progress to the Round of 32.

Qatar might have stunned the hosts with a goal in the opening seconds of the match but Edmilson Junior failed to connect properly with Homam Ahmed’s probing cross from the left. It would be the last moment of relative positivity Qatar would experience all night.

Having settled down following that early scare, Canada, with a noisy 52,000-strong crowd urging them on, began to exert a semblance of control on the match. After 15 minutes they had enjoyed 69 percent of the possession. Two minutes later, they took the lead.

Alistair Johnston’s cross from the right was met firmly by Jonathan David, whose shot was saved by Mahmoud Abunada in the Qatar goal but Cyle Larin pounced on the rebound to give the home team the lead. It was a good omen, as Canada had never lost a match in which the No. 9 scored.

Things got worse for Qatar on 29 minutes when a deflected shot by Tajon Buchanan found its way to David, who finished with a fine volley to Abunada’s left. This marked another first: Canada had never scored more than one goal in a World Cup game before.

The match was all but over as the Netherlands clashed, but ultimately Canada held firm to mark their legendary debut victory.

For Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui, the second half was an exercise in damage limitation, though unforeseen challenges tested their composure.

A foul on 51 minutes by Assim Madibo resulted in a serious injury to Ismael Kone, prompting the Canadian substitutes to surround their stricken teammate as tempers boiled over on both sides. When order was restored, Madibo had received Qatar’s second red of the evening.

Kone’s replacement, Nathan Saliba, created momentum with a decisive strike, making Canada clinch their first major title right after the group stage.

Recent performances solidified their position, though the road to the finals remains arduous ahead.

Final Group B matches see Canada host Switzerland in Vancouver and Qatar face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle starting June 24.

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