Canada thrash Qatar 6-0, Ismaël Koné breaks leg

Both Canada and Qatar entered the match with one point each from the opening group game. Canada quickly asserted control, with former Feyenoord striker Cyle Larin scoring the opening goal, his second World Cup tally.

Jonathan David restored the lead with a precise volley to make it 2-0. A subsequent challenge on Tajon Buchanan by Homam Ahmed was reviewed by VAR, resulting in a free kick and a red card for Ahmed rather than a penalty. Referee Cristián Garay initially pointed to the spot before VAR changed the decision.

David added a third goal shortly before the break, extending the advantage to 3-0. The home crowd in Vancouver celebrated the dominant first‑half performance.

Early in the second half, midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a severe leg fracture after a hard tackle by Assim Madibo, who was shown a red card. Nathan Saliba converted a free kick to make it 4-0, then ran to the sideline holding Koné’s shirt in tribute.

An own goal by Mohamed Manai increased the margin to 5-0, and David completed his hat‑trick with a fourth strike, finalising a 6-0 win. The result marked Canada’s first ever World Cup victory.

Earlier on the same day, Switzerland defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, putting both Canada and Switzerland on four points at the top of Group B. The two sides now share the group lead.

Canada and Switzerland will meet on Wednesday to decide the Group B winner, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar must aim for a best‑third‑place spot to reach the knockout stage.