Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
Shaun Harbott has watched more Canadian men’s soccer games than he can count over the years, but none have made him beam more than what he saw on Thursday.
It was pure domination from Team Canada in Vancouver, as the program earned their its ever win at a World Cup with a 6-0 clean sheet against Qatar in their second game of Group B action.
“Oh, it was phenomenal,” Harbott said. “Canada were relentless as well. They did not give up. Even when they were ahead, they didn’t stop. They were hungry for it. It was a beautiful watch.”
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Harbott was one of millions of Canadians from coast to coast watching for a historic moment in the country’s sporting history, with Winston’s English Pub in Saskatoon packed full of red and white.
Nathan Risling said the dominance from start to finish by Team Canada caught many fans by surprise.
“Unbelievable,” Risling said. “I was confident they were going to pick up the first win, but I never would have predicted a result like 6-0. Just amazing.”
Jonathan David led the way for Canada, with a hat-trick performance after being a substitute in the first game of the tournament last Friday against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Canada was able to take advantage of an undisciplined Qatar team which committed several fouls, including two players ejected for the game with red cards. That set the stage for Canada to capitalize on the Qataris, playing 11-on-nine. Canada controlled the ball with 78 per cent of possession and outshot their opponents 31-2.
“It’s too bad that Qatar had a couple red cards and it because just a one-sided game,” said Canadian fan Brian Bandy.
“It wasn’t a really enjoyable win in that way, but still great to have a win. Canada, from the beginning, was just pressing and deserved the goals, even when it was equal strength.”
Canada did suffer one critical loss in the game, as midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a serious leg injury in the second half after a late challenge by Qatar’s Assim Madibo and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.
“It was rough,” Harbott said.
“You could tell that he was in a lot of pain. He didn’t get up straight away. Hopefully it doesn’t affect their future chances too much. They seem to play well without him on the pitch, but he will be missed.”
According to Canada head coach Jesse Marsch after the game, Koné is preparing for surgery on his leg.
Already leading 3-0, Koné’s replacement Nathan Saliba buried his first goal of the tournament off a free kick in the 64th minute and held up his teammate’s jersey in celebration moments after.
“To have the jersey ready, great tribute,” Risling said. “You never want to see an injury like that, but they’ve got something else to play for now on top of everything else.”
Cyle Larin netted the opening goal for Canada off a rebound in the 10th minute for his second goal in two matches. David scored two goals before halftime to give the host Canadians a three-goal lead.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored in the 75th minute on a goal off Qatar’s Mohammed Manai, which set the stage for David’s hat-trick goal in stoppage time to secure the win.
Risling said the environment was electric for the dozens of fans watching in Saskatoon.
“It was great,” Risling said. “A lot of longtime fans, and there’s actually a few people here on business from Australia and other parts of the world asking about the team, so they’ve got a good story to go home with.”
With the win, Canada now sits atop Group B with a 1-1-0 record and a goal differential of plus six.
That’s still hard to believe for Harbott, who is now looking ahead to Canada’s final group stage game on Wednesday against Switzerland, which could see Canada win the group.
“Wasn’t expecting it, to be honest, but I’m so happy,” Harbott said. “From their performance today, I think they might be able to clinch it with Switzerland.”
Canada will be able to win Group B with either a win or a draw against the Swiss, who are ranked 19th in the world and were the early favourites to take the group.
Regardless of that result, Canada is likely to advance to the knockout stage and the Round of 32, which Risling said was just a pipe dream for the program just a few years ago.
“That would be incredible,” Risling said. “I think they can do it, but I’m just excited to see them play in a knockout game wherever they end up. We’re lucky to be here to see this one.”
For a program which had been winless in its six previous World Cup contests, Canada’s four points earned over its first two games of the 2026 tournament have been historic to say the least.
And it means plenty of fans like Risling are eager to see where the rest of the tournament will lead.
“It feels like we’re here, but we deserve to be here,” Risling said. “People will remember this. Canada is in the World Cup, and get used to it.”
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