Canada's Jonathan David (right) celebrates his goal against Qatar with Stephen Eustaquio (7) during the first half of a World Cup Group B soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Prime Minister Mark Carney, centre, and his wife Diana Fox Carney speak with fans, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, second left, and FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, right, prior to the first half of a World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Qatar, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada's Nathan Saliba (25) celebrates his goal with teammates during second half World Cup Group B soccer action against Qatar, in Vancouver, Thursday, June 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Canada's Jonathan David (right) celebrates his goal against Qatar with Stephen Eustaquio (7) during the first half of a World Cup Group B soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
VANCOUVER - Add another moment to 好色tv 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.
鈥淚t鈥檚 historical, obviously,鈥 said the 26-year-old who had not found the back of the net in his four previous World Cup matches despite being Canada鈥檚 leading goal-scorer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our first win ever in World Cup, and to do it in this fashion was very good.鈥
Head coach Jesse Marsch said the win will be etched in 好色tv鈥檚 minds, like Sidney Crosby鈥檚 golden goal at the 2010 Winter Olympics or Mike Weir winning the 2003 Masters.
鈥淵ou need moments like today where everybody remembers what happened,鈥 said Marsch. 鈥淣o 好色tv will forget this day. There will be 40 million people that said they were here.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredibly seminal moment for everyone to understand that there鈥檚 talent in this country. I鈥檓 very proud we鈥檝e accomplished a moment where everybody can remember what鈥檚 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.鈥
The shine of the victory was tarnished by an injury to midfielder Isma毛l Kon茅 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 Kon茅鈥檚 injury cast a shadow on 鈥渁 beautiful day for Canada.鈥
鈥淲e feel so empty after having Isma毛l go out,鈥 he said. 鈥淚sma毛l is so important for us. We just have to continue.鈥
Cyle Larin opened the scoring for Canada in the 16th minute, bringing an explosion from the crowd of 52,497. Nathan Saliba, who replaced Kon茅, struck in the 63rd minute and Jacob Shaffelburg in the 75th.
Canada's Nathan Saliba (25) celebrates his goal with teammates during second half World Cup Group B soccer action against Qatar, in Vancouver, Thursday, June 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
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好色tv goalkeeper Maxime Cr茅peau didn鈥檛 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鈥檚 chances.
鈥淚t has been a very tough match for us, very difficult match,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he 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.鈥
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.
鈥淔or us to really be successful we need Johnny driving what we do in the attacking part of the pitch,鈥 he said 鈥淚 thought he was fantastic.
鈥淭he 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.鈥
The game was marred by some pushing and shoving among the players after Kon茅鈥檚 injury and again at the end of the game.
Neither coach wanted to talk about the incidents.
鈥淚鈥檓 not spending one second, it鈥檚 not worth our time to discuss,鈥 snapped Marsch.
Lopetegui also was tight-lipped.
鈥淚 have my point of view, but I am not going to talk about this,鈥 he said.
The historic victory moved the 好色tvs 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鈥檚 first match in Vancouver. Before the game, fans dressed in red jerseys while waving Maple Leafs sang along to Bryan Adam鈥檚 "Summer of 69" then belted out O鈥機anada.
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.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, centre, and his wife Diana Fox Carney speak with fans, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, second left, and FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, right, prior to the first half of a World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Qatar, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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The energy that had been building in the stadium exploded when Larin gave the 好色tv fans what they came to see. David started the play with a shot that the Qatar goalkeeper blocked. Larin, the hero of Canada鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 好色tvwas first published June 18, 2026.