With the world's superstars highlighting their scoring prowess, North America's best wanted to get in on the action.
CONCACAF's reigning player of the year Jonathan David scored a hat trick as Canada steamrolled 9-man Qatar while Switzerland kept pace in Group B with a decisive win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
CANADA 6, QATAR 0
Author's Note: This highlight video does not contain the graphic injury that occurred around the 53rd minute to CanMNT midfielder Ismael Kone. If you seek out that highlight, viewer discretion is advised.
Editor's Note: Do NOT seek out that highlight. Instead here is Jessie Marsch.
Former UConn Husky Cyle Larin scored for the second straight game, Jonathan David added three more, and Nathan Saliba's direct free kick goal and an own goal capped off a rout as the hosts secured their first ever World Cup win.
Canada's efforts were bolstered by two straight red cards, Homam Ahmed in the first half for denying former New England Revolution winger Tajon Buchanan a goal scoring opportunity just outside the box.
Jake Catanese
Then Assim Madibo was dismissed early in the second half for a late horror challenge on Ismael Kone just after halftime that saw the Canadian midfielder stretchered off with a likely broken leg.
Nathan Saliba after scoring his direct free kick goal ran to the sideline to hold up a a #8 jersey with Kone's name on it just after the Canucks rallied around their midfielder as he was stretchered off.
SWITZERLAND 4, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 1
The Dragons were able to hold off the might Swiss for over an hour, but once the floodgates opened there was little doubt left as to who would battle it out for the top spot in the group.
Substitute Johan Manzambi scored the first of his two goals just minutes after coming into the game as Switzerland scored four goals in the final stages and stoppage time and defeated 10-man Bosnia to keep pace with Canada in Group B.
Jake Catanese
Ruben Vargas doubled the Swiss lead in the 84th about ten minutes after the opener and Granit Xhaka added a stoppage time penalty minutes after Ermin Mahmic clawed one back for Bosnia earlier in stoppage time. Bosnia were reduced to 10 men with the scoreline still at 1-0 when Tarik Muharemovic hauled down Breel Embolo as the last man in the 80th minute.
GROUP OVERVIEW
The rout puts Canada in first place on goal difference, meaning they only need a draw in the finale over Switzerland to claim the top spot in Group B. The Swiss would need all three points to over take Canada however.
Both Bosnia and Qatar however are still in their own winning scenario with one game to play, as the two sides also play each other on the final matchday where the winner will likely advance as a third place finisher on four points though it's a massive gap in goal difference for the two sides to make up.
UPCOMING MATCHES
Wednesday, June 24
Match 49: Switzerland vs. Canada, 3 p.m. on Fox (Vancouver)
Match 50: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, 3 p.m. on FS1 (Seattle)
