Belgium 1-0 Canada: Michy Batshuayi scores after Alphonso Davies misses penalty

Belgium laboured to triumph successful their opening World Cup crippled arsenic they were pushed each the mode by an outstanding effort from Canada.

Courtois besides had to prevention good from Alistair Johnston, but Canada were undone against the tally of play connected the changeable of half-time erstwhile Michy Batshuayi collected Toby Alderweireld's agelong shot and fired a almighty left-foot decorativeness past Milan Borjan.

Jonathan David wasted a glorious headed accidental to gully Canada level and Courtois besides saved from Cyle Larin. Canada were besides near nursing a consciousness of injustice aft they had 2 presentable punishment appeals ignored successful the archetypal half.

Canada continued to propulsion guardant successful the 2nd fractional but it was Roberto Martinez's broadside who closed retired the win, contempt a show that made a mockery of their presumption arsenic 2nd successful the satellite rankings.

Dismal Belgium thrust their luck

Belgium person Canada's mediocre finishing to convey for the information they avoided the destiny of Argentina and Germany successful falling unfortunate to a World Cup shock.

Martinez has presided implicit Belgium's alleged 'Golden Generation' but this ageing side, connected the grounds of this performance, whitethorn person near their champion days down them.

Belgium inactive person glorious endowment successful the signifier of Kevin de Bruyne and a world-class keeper successful Courtois but they looked ragged, jaded and desperately susceptible to the gait and vigor of Canada's attacking play.

Alphonso Davies saw his punishment saved by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois successful the archetypal half

The antiaircraft duo of Alderweireld, 33, and 35-year-old Jan Vertonghen person served state and clubs outstandingly well, but determination was an aerial of desperation astir immoderate of their play arsenic Canada, successful the archetypal fractional particularly, dragged Belgium to each parts. They simply could not header with the velocity and strength of Canada, an ominous motion for aboriginal games.

Belgium tin intelligibly execute overmuch amended than this and person main striker Romelu Lukaku to instrumentality up beforehand but this was a tired-looking effort and manager Martinez, who is nether unit to bring occurrence to this radical having been successful complaint since 2016, volition simply beryllium relieved to travel retired of this crippled with 3 points.

Canada tin instrumentality existent hope

Canada were roared connected by thousands of fans wrong Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, giving thunderous and colourful backing to John Herdman's team.

And adjacent though their archetypal crippled of this World Cup ended successful defeat, Canada's supporters inactive gave their squad a deserved lasting ovation astatine the last whistle aft a show successful which they did everything but people the extremity they richly merited.

Canada were fearless from the archetypal whistle, sensing vulnerability successful Belgium's defence and the disjointed quality of Martinez's team, whose ranking means they should beryllium among the World Cup favourites.

They had Belgium connected the tally but squandered their large accidental erstwhile Davies' tame punishment was saved by Courtois pursuing Yannick Carrasco's handball. It was to beryllium a pivotal moment.

Canada made astir each the moving successful this crippled but erstwhile the chances came they could not beryllium taken, leaving them astatine the mercy of 1 infinitesimal of prime from Belgium, which duly arrived with Batshuayi's goal.

To their large recognition Canada refused to instrumentality a backward measurement adjacent aft this setback, but main striker David, who has earned a large estimation with Lille, could not marque the astir of a wide headed opening successful the 2nd half.

Canada, however, tin instrumentality pridefulness and anticipation from this performance. They whitethorn person mislaid each 4 World Cup games they person played without scoring a goal, but determination was truthful overmuch to respect astir their showing here.

The Canadians are ranked 39 places beneath Belgium, but matched them successful each areas isolated from that decisive strike.

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