We can now all tick “free-kick” goal on our respective World Cup bingo cards, thanks to Canada’s Nathan-Dylan Saliba.
Canadian midfielder Nathan-Dylan Saliba has etched his name into the history books by scoring the first direct free kick of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Saliba’s moment of history
During Canada’s Group B match against Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver, the 22-year-old Anderlecht midfielder stepped up in the 64th minute to bend a stunning set-piece into the back of the net, marking Canada’s fourth goal of the night.
With that goal, Saliba remarkably beat out a litany of established global superstars, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane, to the tournament’s first free-kick landmark.
After scoring, Saliba immediately sprinted to the sidelines to hold up Koné’s number 8 jersey, dedicating the goal to the starting midfielder who had just suffered a devastating, gruesome leg fracture moments earlier.
Nathan-Dylan Saliba: An unlikely scorer
The touching tribute followed deeply distressing scenes in the 51st minute, when Koné was stretchered off the pitch with a broken leg following a horrific late challenge from Qatar’s Assim Madibo, who was subsequently shown a straight red card.
Subbed on in the 56th minute to replace his fallen compatriot, Saliba proved an unlikely hero from dead-ball situations; operating primarily as a combative central midfielder for Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League, he does not have a reputation as a set-piece specialist.
Yet, his incredible finish complemented a dominant, complete performance from Jesse Marsch’s side, which also featured an opening goal from Cyle Larin (16′), a sensational first-half brace from Jonathan David (29′, 45′), and a late own goal from Qatar’s Mohammed Manai (75′).
With a 5-0 lead heading into the final whistle, Canada sits firmly in control of their group, albeit overshadowed by the massive loss of one of their brightest stars.