Qatar 2022: Canada Mis-place Step On Return As Belgium Grind Out Result

Thirty-six years ago, that’s the time between Canada’s last World Cup game and its match against Belgium on Wednesday. At the Ahmad bin Ali stadium widely dominated by Canadian fans, the men in white offered an almost faultless performance against a Belgium team overwhelmed by the speed of the Canadian attacks.

John Herdman’s men however lost 1-0 despite many scoring opportunities throughout the game.

Cyle Larin came very close to becoming Canada’s all-time World Cup scorer in the 80th minute on a magnificent header that Thibaut Courtois caught by diving to the right.

Canada really dictated the pace of the game from the first minute until that Belgian goal. In the first half, Canada attempted fourteen shots, including two on target, compared to four for the Belgians with just two on target, but the red devils scored with one of those two shots.

Canada could well have taken the lead early in the game when they were awarded a penalty after video review following a hand from Yannick Carrasco from Tajon Buchanan’s 9th minute shot. Alphonso Davies stepped up before the best goalkeeper in the world, Thibaut Courtois, who went to his right to parry a shot that could have been better placed.

At the 44th minute, Michy Batshuayi took advantage of a long pass from Toby Alderweireld to hassle between two defenders and beat Milan Borjan in the 44th minute.

Coach Roberto Martinez looked a happy man after the final whistle given the circumstances under which the 3 points were grabbed.

There’s still a chance for all teams in group F to make the second round as Croatia shared spoils against Morocco (0-0) earlier on Wednesday evening.