Canada's men's national soccer team made history on Thursday, securing its first-ever World Cup victory with a 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver.
The dominant performance moves Canada closer to the round of 32.
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Striker Jonathan David led the charge with a hat trick, fulfilling a pre-match prediction by head coach Jesse Marsch.
Marsch had defended David after criticism of his recent form with Juventus and a quiet opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"Jonathan has scored a heck of a lot of goals," Marsch said before the match. "In the biggest games we want him to score and he will."
Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute, becoming the first Canadian man to score two career World Cup goals.
David added two goals before halftime and completed his hat trick in stoppage time.
Qatar played much of the match shorthanded after Homam Ahmed received a red card in the first half.
Midfielder Assim Madibo was also sent off after a video review for a challenge that broke Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné's leg.
"Everyone could hear the bone snap," Marsch said. "Our hearts go out to him.
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It will be a big loss for us."
Substitute Nathan Saliba honored Koné by holding up his jersey after scoring a free kick.
An own goal by Qatar's Mohammad Al Mannai finalized the 6-0 scoreline.
Canada recorded 97 touches in the attacking box, surpassing the previous tournament record of 71 set by Germany in 2022.
Canada also became the first non-European and non-South American team to score five or more goals in a single World Cup match since 1966.
Marsch said the victory is a critical step toward transforming Canadian soccer.
"You need moments where everybody remembers what happened," he said. "No Canadian will forget this day."
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Canada will win Group stage placement with a draw against Switzerland next week.
