Canada thrashed nine-man Qatar 6-0 to take control of Group B of the FIFA World Cup football championships.
But the hosts will also fret a serious injury picked up by midfielder Ismael Kone, a vital cog in their campaign.
A Jonathan David hat-trick, one apiece form Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba as well as a Qatar own goal sealed a momentous victory for the Canadians, who now need only a draw against Switzerland in their final match to finish top of the group.
Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute with David then taking over, firing home in the 29th and the home side gained a one-man advantage in the 33rd minute following defender Homam El Amin’s red card.
They made full use, with David netting his second in added time to leave Canada fully in control going into the break.
The celebratory atmosphere at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium, however, was soured by a serious injury to Kone in the 51st minute.
Qatar’s Assim Madibo upended Kone with a clumsy challenge from behind to leave the Italy-based midfielder writhing in agony and clutching his left leg.
The seriousness of the injury was immediately apparent as teammates frantically called for help from the Canadian medical staff on the sidelines.
Kone was eventually stretchered off the pitch, waving to the crowd as he inhaled from an oxygen pipe and Madibo, who had initially been given a yellow card for the tackle, was sent off after it was upgraded to red following a VAR review.
With Qatar down to nine men, Canada took full advantage to score three more goals.
Saliba – who had replaced the injured Kone – curled in a free-kick to make it 4-0 in the 64th minute.
The substitute celebrated his goal by racing to the sideline to hold up a replica of the stricken Kone’s Canadian jersey.
Another substitute, Jacob Shaffelburg, then helped make it 5-0, his fierce shot turned into the Qatar goal by defender Mohammad Manai.
David then completed his hat-trick in the second minute of stoppage time to complete the win.
