VANCOUVER — Canada secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory with a 6-0 win over Qatar on Thursday, but the historic result was overshadowed by a serious injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné that halted celebrations and triggered on-field tension.
Jonathan David scored a hat-trick as Canada overpowered nine-man Qatar at BC Place Stadium, moving to the brink of qualification for the Round of 32. The co-hosts now sit on four points in Group B and remain unbeaten in the tournament.
However, the match was disrupted in the second half when Koné suffered a severe leg injury following a late challenge from Qatar’s Assim Madibo.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch described the moment as distressing.
“It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap,” Marsch said. “He will prepare for surgery. Everybody’s a little shaken by the whole experience.”
Koné, 24, was stretchered off the pitch and acknowledged the crowd with a thumbs-up despite the injury, which is expected to rule him out of the rest of the tournament.
The incident sparked a brief scuffle between both teams, with Madibo later sent off. Qatar also finished the match with nine players following an earlier red card for a professional foul.
Despite the setback, Canada maintained control of the match. Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute before David struck twice before halftime to put the hosts in command.
Further goals followed in the second half from Nathan Saliba and an own goal by Mohamed Manai, before David completed his hat-trick in stoppage time.
Marsch said the team dedicated the performance to Koné.
“He will be back stronger than ever,” he said. “I told the players he would want us to finish the game, and that is what they did.”
Canada now face Switzerland in their final group match, where a win would secure top spot and progression to the knockout stage.
