Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK ;  June 19: Canadian striker Jonathan David became the second player after Lionel Messi to score a hat-trick in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, as Canada produced a stunning performance to defeat Qatar in a one-sided encounter. Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba, and an own goal from the opposition added to the scoreline as the co-host nation secured a massive victory and climbed to the top of their group.

The early hours of Friday, Canada thrashed Qatar 6–0 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. From the opening whistle, the home side took complete control of the match and maintained an aggressive attacking approach, leaving the Qatari defence under constant pressure.

Canada broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Jonathan David fired a powerful shot that Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada failed to deal with completely. The rebound fell perfectly for Cyle Larin, who calmly found the back of the net. Larin had also scored the equalising goal in Canada’s previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and once again proved his importance to the team.

The Canadian attack continued to create problems for Qatar, and in the 29th minute Jonathan David doubled the lead with a well-taken finish. Qatar’s situation became even more difficult shortly afterwards when Homam Ahmed committed a foul on Tajon Buchanan near the penalty area. The referee showed Ahmed a straight red card, reducing Qatar to ten men before the end of the first half.

The first half, Jonathan David scored his second goal of the match, giving Canada a commanding 3–0 advantage before the break. With David’s brace and Larin’s earlier strike, the hosts went into the dressing room with complete confidence and control over the game.

The second half brought further misery for Qatar. In the 53rd minute, they received another red card and were reduced to just nine players on the field. Taking full advantage of the numerical superiority, Canada continued their relentless attack. Nathan Saliba scored the fourth goal in the 64th minute from a well-executed free-kick.

The pressure on the Qatari side continued, and in the 75th minute Mohammed Muntari accidentally turned the ball into his own net, handing Canada their fifth goal of the night. The dominant hosts were not finished yet, and in added time Jonathan David completed his hat-trick with his third goal, becoming only the second player after Lionel Messi to achieve the feat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Two matches, Switzerland had been leading Group B with four points. However, Canada’s emphatic 6–0 victory over Qatar dramatically changed the standings. Due to their superior goal difference following this huge win, the Canadian team moved to the top of the group and strengthened their hopes of progressing further in the tournament.