Canada smashes 7 past Aruba in bid for World Cup qualification

Canada is closing in on the next stage of World Cup qualification following Saturday's 7-0 demolition of Aruba.

John Herdman's side will face Suriname on Tuesday to determine who reaches the second round of CONCACAF qualifying. Suriname, which is tied with Canada on nine points in Group B, beat Bermuda 6-0 on Friday.

Aruba's ranking as the world's sixth-worst national team seemed fair given the nature of Canada's first goal. Mark-Anthony Kaye was allowed to cross from the right despite the close proximity of two defenders, and Lucas Cavallini met Kaye's delivery around four yards from goal - unmarked and with the goalkeeper ineffectively scrambling across his line - to nod home in the 17th minute.

Junior Hoilett added Canada's second from the penalty spot but was forced to depart later in the first half with an apparent leg injury.

Cavallini notched his fifth goal in three qualification matches on the stroke of halftime - and it was even easier than his first of the evening. This time, a low cross was pushed over from the right and evaded the goalkeeper entirely, leaving the Vancouver Whitecaps forward with the simplest of short-range finishes.

Zachary Brault-Guillard performed a slick spin before smashing into the top corner for Canada's fourth. The goal also marked 22-year-old Tajon Buchanan's second assist on his debut for Les Rouges.

In what seemed like an act of cruelty, Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David were introduced for Canada in the 66th minute, and Cyle Larin followed them soon after.

It got much worse for Aruba.

Davies played a one-two with David before his heavily deflected cross found the net. An errant backpass and subsequent heavy touch from the 'keeper preceded a Larin tap-in before David's strong run and finish completed the rout in Florida.

The final score lifted Canada's tally to 23 goals in just three Group B outings.