VANCOUVER — Add another moment to Canadian sports history.
Striker Jonathan David snapped a scoring drought by striking three goals to lead Canada to its first-ever FIFA World Cup victory with a 6-0 decision over Qatar Thursday before a boisterous sellout crowd at BC Place Stadium.
“It’s historical, obviously,” said the 26-year-old who had not found the back of the net in his four previous World Cup matches despite being Canada’s leading goal-scorer. “It’s our first win ever in World Cup, and to do it in this fashion was very good.”
Head coach Jesse Marsch said the win will be etched in Canadian’s minds, like Sidney Crosby’s golden goal at the 2010 Winter Olympics or Mike Weir winning the 2003 Masters.
“You need moments like today where everybody remembers what happened,” said Marsch. “No Canadian will forget this day. There will be 40 million people that said they were here.
“It’s an incredibly seminal moment for everyone to understand that there’s talent in this country. I’m very proud we’ve accomplished a moment where everybody can remember what’s happened. I think it will drive us to make sure that we do everything we can to win the group and really make a run in this tournament.”
The shine of the victory was tarnished by an injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné who was carried off the field on a stretcher in the 51st minute with a broken left leg. Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was issued a red card that left the team down two men.
Midfielder Stephen Eustaquio said Koné’s injury cast a shadow on “a beautiful day for Canada.”
“We feel so empty after having Ismaël go out,” he said. “Ismaël is so important for us. We just have to continue.”
Cyle Larin opened the scoring for Canada in the 16th minute, bringing an explosion from the crowd of 52,497. Nathan Saliba, who replaced Koné, struck in the 63rd minute and Jacob Shaffelburg in the 75th.
Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau didn’t face a shot in earning a clean sheet. Canada led 30-2 in shot attempts.
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said Canada had a strong team with fast players. Losing two players to red cards also hurt his team’s chances.
“It has been a very tough match for us, very difficult match,” he said. “The players, they did their best. It has been very difficult to face this kind of match with two players less, with this environment, against this team.”
Questions had swirled around David who had just two goals in his last 10 international games for Canada.
He struck twice in the first half, scoring in the 29th minute and the third minute of added time. He finished the hat trick in the second minute of stoppage time and was named man of the match.
Marsch said he never lost confidence in David.
“For us to really be successful we need Johnny driving what we do in the attacking part of the pitch,” he said “I thought he was fantastic.
“The only thing I encouraged Johnny was to train better. He trained really well this week. I think that put him in a state of mind to be his best for this match.”
The game was marred by some pushing and shoving among the players after Koné’s injury and again at the end of the game.
Neither coach wanted to talk about the incidents.
“I’m not spending one second, it’s not worth our time to discuss,” snapped Marsch.
Lopetegui also was tight-lipped.
“I have my point of view, but I am not going to talk about this,” he said.
The historic victory moved the Canadians into a tie for first place with Switzerland in Group B standings.
Canada plays Switzerland on Wednesday at BC Place Stadium. A draw sends Canada into the next round of the 48-team tournament.
The atmosphere was electric for Canada’s first match in Vancouver. Before the game, fans dressed in red jerseys while waving Maple Leafs sang along to Bryan Adam’s “Summer of 69” then belted out O’Canada.
In the sea of red was an island of white where Qatar fans dressed in traditional robes, waved flags and cheered their team.
Among the fans watching the game were Prime Minister Mark Carney, B.C. Premier David Eby and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.
The energy that had been building in the stadium exploded when Larin gave the Canadian fans what they came to see. David started the play with a shot that the Qatar goalkeeper blocked. Larin, the hero of Canada’s opening 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, banged the loose ball in for a 1-0 lead.
David put Canada ahead 2-0 with a right-footed shot from about 15 metres out that curled inside the post.
Larin and David combined again in first-half extra time. Larin took a shot that was stopped but David put in the rebound for a 3-0 lead. Saliba’s goal came off a free kick with a shot that hit the post and went in.
Shaffelburg added another nail in the coffin with a strike that deflected in off a Qatar player.
Earlier in the day, Switzerland defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 in Los Angeles.
Canada and Switzerland lead Group B with four points each with 1-0-1 records. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar each have one point from 0-1-1 records.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2026.
Jim Morris, The Canadian Press
