Canada recorded their first-ever World Cup victory on Thursday with a commanding 6-0 demolition of nine-man Qatar in a Group B encounter overshadowed by a serious injury to midfielder Ismael Kone.
Jonathan David struck a hat-trick, while Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba also found the net, alongside a Qatar own goal, as the Canadians moved within touching distance of topping the group.
The emphatic win at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium was, however, dampened by Kone’s injury midway through the second half, despite the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney among the celebrating home supporters.
Qatar’s Assim Madibo upended Kone with a clumsy challenge from behind to leave the Italy-based midfielder writhing in agony and clutching his left leg.
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The seriousness of the injury was immediately apparent as teammates frantically called for help from the Canadian medical staff on the sidelines.
Madibo, who had initially been given a yellow card for the tackle, was sent off after it was upgraded to red following a VAR review, the second Qatari dismissal after Homam el-Amin was given his marching orders in the first half.
With Qatar down to nine men, Canada took full advantage to score three more goals.
Saliba, who had replaced the injured Kone, curled in a free-kick to make it 4-0 in the 64th minute.
