David scores a hat trick to join LIonel Messi

Jonathan David scored a hat-trick as Canada demolished Qatar 6-0 at B.C. Place, vaulting the host nation to the top of Group B and the brink of a historic World Cup knockout stage berth.

David delivered a World Cup performance for the ages on Thursday.

David, the 26-year-old Juventus striker, was utterly unplayable from the opening whistle. He set up Cyle Larin’s opener in the 16th minute, then struck twice before halftime to give Canada a commanding 3-0 lead, including his milestone 40th goal for the Canadian national team. He completed his hat-trick in second-half stoppage time to seal the rout, joining Lionel Messi as the only players to score hat-tricks at the 2026 World Cup. It is also just the second hat-trick ever recorded by a CONCACAF player at a men’s World Cup.

The performance caps a breathtaking rise for David, who has spent the past year establishing himself as one of the most clinical finishers in world football. The Montreal-born forward signed with Juventus in July 2025 after five prolific seasons at Lille, where he scored 87 goals in 178 Ligue 1 appearances. He recorded six goals and four assists in 35 Serie A matches during his debut season in Turin before arriving at this World Cup as Canada’s leading attacking threat and number nine.

David opened his World Cup account by setting up Larin with a fierce shot that caromed off the post and dropped to the Canadian striker at the far post in the 16th minute. He then struck for himself with a sumptuous volley — his 39th international goal — before adding an acrobatic close-range finish in first-half stoppage time to reach his 40th cap goal for Les Rouges. Qatar’s Homam El-Amin was sent off at halftime with a red card, leaving the Gulf nation’s already overmatched side to defend with ten men. Canada continued to press in the second half, adding three more goals before David nodded home in stoppage time for his hat-trick and Canada’s sixth.