Larin strikes again in historic World Cup win
Cyle Larin was on the scoresheet again for Canada, as his nation earned their first ever FIFA World Cup win in impressive style.
The co-host nation swept aside Qatar with a dominant display in Vancouver, which sealed a first victory on the world stage for the Men's national team.
After rescuing a point off the bench in the Group B opener a week ago, Larin was handed a start for Canada's second game and picked up where he left off after just 16 minutes.
A shot from Juventus' Jonathan David was too hot to handle for Qatari goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada, and Larin pounced on the rebound inside the six-yard box to open the scoring with his second goal in as many games at the tournament.
Jesse Marsch's side were in control when David added a second, before Larin was involved once more in the game's third goal; Saints' striker directed a header towards goal that was palmed away by Abunada, only for David to react first to extend the lead and his personal tally.
Qatar were reduced to 10 players soon after, as their disastrous first half went from bad to worse with Homam Elamin's red card.
The occasion was dealt an unfortunate blow in the second half when Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered what looked to be a broken leg after a rash challenge from Assim Madibo, who was also shown a red card to reduce Qatar to nine men.
When the game restarted, Canada made their two-player advantage count as they finished the contest in ruthless fashion. Koné's replacement, Nathan Saliba, added a fourth with a well-struck free-kick, before an own goal from Mohamed Al Mannai made it five.
In stoppage time, Jonathan David completed his hat-trick to seal a 6-0 victory, as the co-host nation top Group B and set up a battle for top spot against Switzerland on Wednesday 24th June (8pm BST).
