World Cup Day 8: Canada thrashes Qatar 6-0 and Garay controversy
- Canada achieves their first World Cup victory with a 6-0 rout against Qatar, with Jonathan David's hat-trick tying him with Messi as top scorer
- Chilean referee Cristián Garay dominates the matchday with controversial decisions: reverses a penalty by VAR but maintains the red card, generating chaos that ends with Qatar reduced to nine players
- Mexico advances to the next round leading their group after beating South Korea 1-0 in a difficult match, while Switzerland thrashed Bosnia 4-1
If day 7 was all heartwarming moments, day 8 was the kind that leaves your mates arguing for hours: a historic record, a home hammering, and a referee who nicked more headlines than the 22 on the pitch.
Canada 6-0 Qatar: first World Cup win ever... and absolute refereeing chaos. Canada had never won a World Cup match. I'll say it again because it matters: never. Then day 8 rolled around, they're playing at home, and they banished that curse with a 6-0 thrashing and a Jonathan David hat-trick (Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba and an own goal rounded out the party). David, by the way, levelled Messi at the top of the scoring charts.
But the real main character of the day was Chilean ref Cristián Garay, his country's first World Cup official since 2014. He awarded a penalty for a foul on Buchanan, had second thoughts via VAR (switched it to a free-kick) but kept the red card; then sent off a second Qatar player after a brutal challenge that snapped Koné's leg. Qatar—managed, mind you, by Julen Lopetegui—finished with nine men, and the match ended with Lopetegui and Marsch squaring up. From hosting the World Cup in 2022 to getting thrown out of someone else's party. Ouch.
Mexico grind it out and lead; Switzerland steamroll through. Mexico 1-0 South Korea with Luis Romo on the scoresheet and plenty of white-knuckle football: El Tri secure their passage and top the group. One of those 1-0s that's worth its weight in gold but takes ten years off your life as a fan. Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia with a Johan Manzambi brace (plus Vargas and Xhaka from the spot), and in the early kickoff Czechia 1-1 South Africa—points shared and the group wide open.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in Canada's 6-0 victory over Qatar at the 2026 World Cup?
Canada secured their first-ever World Cup win with a 6-0 victory and a hat-trick from Jonathan David. Qatar, managed by Julen Lopetegui, finished with nine players after two red cards.
Who was the controversial referee on matchday 8?
Chilean referee Cristián Garay, his country's first referee at a World Cup since 2014. He awarded a penalty on Buchanan that VAR overturned to a free kick while maintaining the red card, and sent off a second Qatari player following Koné's serious injury.
Did Mexico qualify on matchday 8 of the 2026 World Cup?
Mexico defeated South Korea 1-0 with a goal from Luis Romo and took a decisive step towards the next round, topping their group.
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