Canada v Qatar
Play By Play
The full-time whistle sounds at BC Place Vancouver as Canada thrash nine-man Qatar 6-0 to move top of Group B and edge closer to the round of 32. Canada took the lead in the 16th minute as Larin prodded home from close range before David doubled the lead 13 minutes later with an exquisite right-footed volley. Qatar were reduced to 10 men in the 33rd minute after El Amin was sent off, via a VAR intervention, for bringing down Buchanan just outside the box. Canada took advantage of the sending off as David tapped into an empty net in first-half stoppage time before the Maroons were reduced to nine men eight minutes inside the second half after Madibo caught Kone with a late tackle, resulting in the Sassuolo midfielder being stretchered off with an apparent broken leg. Kone’s replacement Saliba added a fourth in the 64th minute, bending a 20-yard free-kick around the Qatar wall, and in off the upright. Al Manai inadvertently found the back of his own net 11 minutes later as he attempted to clear Shaffelburg’s volley before David netted his hat-trick in the second minute of second-half stoppage time after latching onto Saliba’s pass. The result sees Canada sit first in Group B, level on points with Switzerland, but with a better goal difference. For Qatar, they sit bottom of the table, and will look to move on from this result as soon as possible. Canada created 32 shots with 10 on target, reflected by an xG of 4.46, whereas Qatar registered two shots with none on target, highlighted by an xG of 0.18. That concludes our live commentary of this entertaining 2026 World Cup Group B contest. We hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and take care!
FULL-TIME: CANADA 6-0 QATAR
The Canada supporters have been treated to a game in Vancouver! They are seeing their side record their first World Cup win in history...
Qatar have been embarrased here. After doing so well to salvage a point against Switzerland, the Maroons have been taken to the cleaners!
Saliba, who came on for the injured Kone, adds an assist to his goal earlier on!
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! DAVID GETS HIS HAT-TRICK!!! 6-0 TO CANADA!!! Saliba looks to get a shot away from the edge of the box, but it hits David, who swivels before firing an effort past a helpless Abunada! What a way to win your first World Cup game!
There will be NINE minutes of additional time at the end of the second half!
Fathy, who came on as a substitute, is replaced by Mendes. Ouch!
Will Canada find another goal in the closing stages of this game? They have a few minutes left of normal time, although I do expect there to be a large amount of stoppage time...
The lively Buchanan comes off for Sigur. What a performance it has been from Buchanan!
Qatar are barely hanging on here! Johnston is played in from the right before seeing his close-range attempt snuffed out by Abunada. It is then recycled to Shaffelburg at the back post, with the attacker blazing it high and wide into the stands!
Shaffelburg is enjoying himself out there! The substitute finds space just outside the box, before sending an attempt wide of the right-hand post! He's getting closer to finding himself on the scoresheet...
Almost a sixth for Canada as Shaffelburg loops a header towards the top corner, but the Qatar shot-stopper does enough to tip it over the woodwork. The Canadian supporters chant for another goal!
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! IT'S FIVE FOR CANADA!!! AL MANAI PUTS IT INTO HIS OWN NET!! Buchanan's right-wing delivery finds Shaffelburg inside the box, who hits a first-time volley. It looks to be heading wide of the upright before Al Manai takes a swipe, diverting the ball past his goalkeeper! Canada 5-0 Qatar!
As it stands, Canada occupy first place in Group B, level on points with Switzerland, who thrashed Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 earlier today.
Norwich City's Ahmed, who played brilliantly today, is replaced by Oluwaseyi.
Play has resumed after the hydration break has ended. Canada make a couple of substitutions. The first sees De Fougerolles come off for Shaffelburg.
Play has paused due to a hydration break! It has been one-way traffic at BC Place Vancouver. Canada's four goals are tied for the most ever scored in a World Cup match by a Concacaf nation, matching Mexico (1970 vs. El Salvador) and the United States (2026 vs. Paraguay).
After receiving treatment, the Qatar goalkeeper is back on his feet. As expected, Canada regain possession, and are searching for a fifth goal!
INJURY! There's a break in play after Abunada goes down holding his shoulder. The medical team are now on the pitch...
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! SALIBA SCORES AND CANADA ARE 4-0 UP!!! Saliba, who just came on for the injured Kone, steps up to take the 20-yard free-kick, bending it around the Qatar wall before flying in off the upright! Saliba then holds up a jersey with Kone's name!
YELLOW! What are Qatar doing?! They have lost their heads! This time, Fathy lunges in late on Ahmed just outside the box. That was a really poor challenge!
Qatar make another change as Afif is replaced by Al Hussain.
As expected, Kone comes off for Saliba.
Kone has sat up as the medical team take him away on a stretcher! Kone is waving to the fans, who are singing his name. We wish Kone well, and hope to see him back on the pitch soon!
