With beer and poutine, Canadians celebrate euphoric first World Cup win in Niagara Falls
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Canada fans gathering in Vancouver to watch their team thrash Qatar 6-0 in a World Cup clash on June 18.
PHOTO: REUTERS
NIAGARA FALLS – Pints of beer, bowls of poutine, maple candies and Niagara Falls for a backdrop – Canadians and tourists at one of the most iconic natural wonders in North America were spoilt for choice when they turned up to watch Canada take on Qatar at the World Cup on June 18.
The cherry on top was a historic first win for Canada at the Finals in their Group B match in Vancouver.
The tournament co-hosts had lost all six of their matches at the 1986 and 2022 World Cups, but brought that run to a halt with an opening draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, before sealing a 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place Stadium.
A hat-trick from Juventus striker Jonathan David, one goal apiece from Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba, and a Mohamed Manai own goal sealed Canada’s win. They are now level on four points with Switzerland, while Bosnia and Qatar have a point each.
Ecstatic supporters hugged their friends and families on the final whistle, which capped off a dominant display against a Qatar side that ended the match with nine men.
“We’re here for Canada’s first-ever win at the FIFA World Cup, set next to one of Canada’s natural landmarks. It’s unreal. What an experience. You couldn’t ask for more,” said Dylan McAleer, a local resident.
“Watch out for Canada. We’re coming out. This is our time, I think.”
The gathering, organised by Niagara Parks, welcomed hundreds of people just steps away from the cascading waterfalls.
Every goal from Canada was cheered by fans as they rose from their Muskoka chairs, with some breaking into a celebratory dance.
Najeeb Bataineh, a 57-year-old resident of the city of St Catharines, started handing out a Canada flag to every person he could find as Canada’s win looked inevitable.
“I love Canada. I’m going to bring... free flag(s) every game,” he said.
In a country where ice hockey and baseball take the limelight at the expense of every other sport, the euphoric win seemed to warm some Canadians to the sport.
One Canadian security guard at the venue said he would now follow the team more closely following their performance. Another tried to buy a not-for-sale giant football displayed at a nearby store.
The happy occasion was, however, marred by a serious left leg injury to midfielder Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off after being clumsily upended by Qatar’s Assim Madibo in the 51st minute.
“Everyone could hear the bone snap,” Canada coach Jesse Marsch said.
“He’s at the hospital. He will prepare for a surgery. We’ll see exactly what we decide to do for him.
“Everybody’s a little shaken by the whole experience because of the nature of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. It will be a big loss for us.”
Earlier on June 18, Switzerland got their campaign back on track with a 4-1 drubbing of Bosnia at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Johan Manzambi scored twice while Ruben Vargas and Granit Xhaka were on target in a late flurry of goals for the Swiss.
Midfielder Ermin Mahmic netted a consolation goal for 10-man Bosnia in stoppage time. REUTERS, AFP
