VANCOUVER : Canada recorded the first World Cup finals victory in their history with a commanding 6-0 win over nine-man Qatar on Thursday, delighting a packed BC Place crowd and boosting their hopes of advancing from Group B.
The co-hosts, playing their first World Cup match in Vancouver, climbed to the top of the group on goal difference ahead of Switzerland and could remain on the west coast for the knockout stage if they progress.
A hat-trick from Jonathan David spearheaded the rout, while Cyle Larin opened the scoring as Canada overwhelmed a Qatar side that finished with nine men after two red cards.
The celebrations were tempered only by an injury to midfielder Ismael Kone, who was forced off after a heavy challenge and was later suspected to have suffered a broken leg.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s historic,” supporter Mattias Cherniak told Reuters after the final whistle.
“That’s a win for Vancouver. It’s the first in Canada’s history at a World Cup, and we were here to witness it.”
The sold-out stadium provided a raucous backdrop from the outset, with a passionate rendition of the Canadian national anthem followed by deafening cheers when Larin and David struck in the opening half hour.
A section of Qatar supporters, many dressed in traditional white thobes and maroon scarves, attempted to rally their team behind one goal, but their hopes faded when defender Homam Ahmed was sent off in the 33rd minute.
Qatar’s task became even harder after midfielder Assim Madibo received a second-half red card for a reckless challenge on Kone, leaving the visitors with nine players for the remainder of the contest.
With a two-man advantage, Canada dominated possession and created chances at will, turning the closing stages into a one-sided exhibition in front of their home fans.
The victory provided a welcome boost for soccer in Vancouver, where recent attention has focused on uncertainty surrounding the future of the city’s Major League Soccer club, the Vancouver Whitecaps, amid speculation about a possible relocation.
For one afternoon, however, those concerns were forgotten as Canada’s national team delivered a landmark result.
“It’s huge for the future,” Cherniak said.
“It’s building the culture, it’s building the money, it’s everything.
“It is 100% going to make the game more popular here. Whoever wasn’t watching in the stadium was watching on TV, and they’re loving it.”
