Former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch’s second fixture of the World Cup as Canada manager could not have gone any better last night.
We’re into the second wave of group stage fixtures during this World Cup, and there’s been very little involvement thus far from Leeds’ travelling quartet.
Most of the intrigue from an Elland Road perspective has been on those that were formerly at the club, including former manager Jesse Marsch.
Jesse Marsch’s Canada batter nine-man Qatar 6-0 in World Cup rout
A spirited draw in Canada’s opener teed up the chance to build under Marsch, with a clash against Qatar in Vancouver’s BC Place stadium.
Qatar fought back for their own surprise draw against Switzerland in game one, but were massively second best against Marsch’s men.
What didn’t help Qatar was a red card either side of half-time, seeing them play most of the second half with nine men. Granted, they were already 2-0 down by the time they were reduced to 10 men, as Cyle Larin prodded in a rebound for the opener, followed by Jonathan David’s superb volley on the turn. The Juventus man then added his second and Canada’s third on the stroke of half-time.
After half-time, the second red came in tragic circumstances. Qatar’s Assim Madibo caught Ismael Kone from behind with a somewhat reckless swipe, which ended up causing a horrible broken leg for the Canada midfielder, and the decision was upgraded to a red card via VAR intervention.
Madibo was understandably distraught, but Canada’s fourth came through another poor challenge, punished on the edge of the box with Nathan Saliba’s free-kick. Mohammed Manai sliced into his own goal to complete Canada’s 6-0 rout.
Ex-Leeds United man Jesse Marsch and Julen Lopetegui shared bitter full-time encounter after Canada 6-0 Qatar
It’s a seriously impressive result for Canada and Marsch no matter the circumstances. Yes, their opposition were there for the taking at 11v11, and even more so at 11v9.
However, the full-time whistle brought more tension for Marsch. As he shook hands with his opposite number, Lopetegui then shared what appeared to be a hostile exchange with the former Leeds boss, who stormed off throwing his hands in the air.
After the match, Marsch wasn’t willing to give ex-Wolves man Lopetegui any air time for his touchline antics.
“I’m not wasting a single second talking about that,” Marsch said, via FourFourTwo, as he called out the Qatar bench’s ‘strange behaviour’ around Kone’s injury and Madibo’s red card.
Marsch also confirmed that Madibo headed into the Canada dressing room to apologise and send his condolences to Kone.
Could divisive Leeds United character Jesse Marsch enjoy memorable World Cup with Canada?
The injury shouldn’t detract from what a brilliant performance that was from Marsch’s Canada, and it stands them in good stead for the tournament going forward.
It’s such a confidence booster, and you wonder how far Marsch can take this Canada side.
In his first major tournament, the Copa America, Marsch guided his side to a third-place playoff, where they missed out on penalties to Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay. They also lost their semi-final to eventual winners Argentina.
I know he divides opinion massively at Leeds, and his outspoken nature never helps. Many of us would be happy forgetting his stint ever really happened. But, he’s in the limelight now and it’s hard not to watch on, love him or hate him.
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