VANCOUVER, June 18 (Reuters) - ⁠Jonathan David bagged a hat-trick as Canada secured their first ever World Cup finals ⁠victory and boosted their chances of reaching the knockout stages with a 6-0 thrashing ‌of hapless nine-man Qatar on Thursday.

The co-hosts' joy at the resounding victory was tempered by a serious injury suffered by midfielder Ismael Kone but theymoved top of Group B with four points after two matches, while Qatar are bottom with one. ​Canada next host Switzerland, who also have four points, in ⁠Vancouver on Wednesday.

Roared on by a ⁠vocal red-and-white crowd, Canada came out all guns blazing. Cyle Larin repaid coach Jesse Marsch's faith in ⁠the ‌16th minute, reacting quickest after goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada saved David's effort to give the hosts the lead.

Larin, who scored off the bench in Canada's 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, ⁠had been handed a start alongside David, the country's all-time ​leading goalscorer.

Canada doubled their advantage ‌13 minutes later, David meeting a cross with a powerful volley and the match swung ⁠completely in Canada's ​favour when Qatar were reduced to 10 men.

A penalty was initially awarded for El Amin's foul on Tajon Buchanan, but a VAR review ruled the offence occurred outside the area. The decision was downgraded to a free ⁠kick, but Homam Ahmed's yellow card was upgraded to ​a red.