Prime Minister Mark Carney told soccer stars from Brampton that Canada’s record-breaking World Cup game on June 18, 2026, has set an example for young players in the city. (Photo: The Canadian Press on YouTube)<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mark Carney told soccer stars from Brampton that Canada\u2019s record-breaking World Cup game on Thursday has set an example for young players in the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t just break CONCACAF records\u2026but you showed a level of character that some people never achieve in their life,\u201d Carney said in an emotional post-game speech to the team following their 6-0 win over Qatar.<\/p>\n
The win was the first-ever World Cup win for Canada\u2019s men\u2019s team, and also tied a 1994 record for most shots on target before halftime. And with 97 touches in the attacking box against Qatar, Canada set a new World Cup record with 26 more than any other team on record.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll just say, I couldn\u2019t be prouder as a Canadian and on behalf of all Canadians, I just want to thank you for everything you put in to get here,\u201d Carney said after the win. \u201cYou represent the nation, represent your family and friends, and teach a lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brampton\u2019s Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute with his second goal of the tournament before Jonathan David struck twice before the half. Canada would go on to put on a clinic, cranking the score up to 6-0<\/a>.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t all fun for the Canadians, as Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9 suffered an injury to his left leg and was stretchered off the field. But the team rallied behind Kon\u00e9\u2019s injury, with Nathan Saliba stepping in and scoring on a free kick into the top corner in the 64th minute.<\/p>\n Saliba celebrated by waving Kon\u00e9\u2019s jersey to the crowd, a moment Carney said shows \u201ccharacter in a real team.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n With six players on the team from Brampton, the prime minister finished his address by calling out the city\u2019s contributions to the team while recounting his recent visit to the Flower City.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of you know it well, right?,\u201d Carney said of Brampton with a laugh. \u201cOur first two goals were scored by Cyle (Larin) out of Brampton, right? (Jonathan) Osorio out of Brampton. I can go on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe went to Brampton because of your example, and because we\u2019re building a new sports complex, and to be honest, we\u2019re not building a new sports complex for this level. It\u2019s Brampton, so a couple of people rise to this level.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we\u2019re building it for thousands and thousands of kids \u2013 girls, boys \u2013 who play football to aspire to be like you. And the one thing I hope they take is a lesson you showed today in the response. I couldn\u2019t be prouder,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n