Jonathan David became the first player to score a World Cup hat-trick on home soil since 1966 as co-hosts Canada recorded their first-ever men’s World Cup victory at a roaring BC Place.
Jonathan David needed just 61 minutes to rewrite the Canadian football record books. The Juventus striker scored three times as co-hosts Canada thrashed nine-man Qatar 6-0 in a Group B clash at BC Place in Vancouver on Thursday evening, sealing Canada’s first-ever victory at a men’s FIFA World Cup. The result — emphatic in every sense — moves Jesse Marsch’s side to four points and puts them on the cusp of the Round of 32.
Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute, pouncing on a rebound, before David took over. His stunning volley in the 29th minute doubled Canada’s advantage, and he struck again before half-time to give the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead. Qatar’s misery deepened when Homam Ahmed was shown a red card in the 33rd minute, leaving them a man down. In the second half, midfielder Ismael Kone suffered what appeared to be a broken leg after a challenge from Assim Madibo — a VAR review upgraded Madibo’s yellow to red, reducing Qatar to nine men. Substitute Nathan Saliba, sent on to replace the stricken Kone, curled home a superb free-kick in the 64th minute and immediately lifted Kone’s jersey to the sky in an emotional tribute to his teammate. A Jacob Shaffelburg effort deflected in off Mohammad Manai to make it 5-0, before David completed his hat-trick deep into stoppage time.
David’s hat-trick made him the first player to score a World Cup treble on home soil since England’s Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final — and the first Canadian ever to achieve the feat at the tournament. Canada also became the first host nation to score six goals in a World Cup match since Argentina’s 6-0 demolition of Peru in 1978.
Despite the jubilation, the mood in the Canadian camp was sobered by Kone’s injury. An emotional Marsch addressed reporters post-game, describing the midfielder in warmly personal terms.
“He’s so imperfect but that’s why you love him. He can do great things and the next moment he loses concentration. He embodies a lot of what the team is. It’s a huge loss for us. He’ll be fine, we’ll get him good doctors. He’s got a big future and he’s a big part of everything we’ll do.” — Jesse Marsch, Canada head coach, post-match press conference (Football360, June 19, 2026)
The night was also punctuated by friction between coaching staffs. Marsch and Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui exchanged heated words at full-time following what Marsch described as unusual behaviour from Qatar’s bench around the time of Kone’s injury. Asked to elaborate at the press conference, Marsch was dismissive.
“I’m not spending one second, it’s not worth any of our time to discuss.” — Jesse Marsch, post-match press conference (Football360, June 19, 2026)
Canada lead Group B by goal difference over Switzerland, who beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 in a remarkable second-half comeback on the same evening. A draw against the Swiss on June 25 will be enough to seal top spot. With David now tied with Lionel Messi as the tournament’s only hat-trick scorers and Alphonso Davies fit again, Canada look every inch a side ready for the knockout stage.
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