Despite a spirited effort from Canada in their first World Cup appearance since 1986, Belgium won the opener of Group F on Wednesday, thanks to three big saves from Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Canada had a chance to take the lead after being awarded a penalty kick, but Alphonso Davies' attempt was blocked by Courtois. Canada hasn't scored a World Cup goal. Michy Batshuayi scored off a long ball just before the half time break.
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The Canadians, in their first World Cup match in 26 years, certainly experienced that against Belgium.
They showed no fear from the start of the game. The Canadians played attacking football with movement, intensity and passion, pushed by the noise and the support of the 10,000 Canadians inside the stadium. The game plan was to press high and use the width of the pitch to their advantage.
Stephen Eustaquio and Atiba Hutchinson are the only two survivors from Canada's last World Cup appearance. They generated 2.35 expected goals for Canada against just 0.58 expected goals for their opponent.
Canada can be proud of their performance, but they will have regrets. They gave up a goal just before the break because of one defensive mistake. Nelson Mandela used to say, "You never lose" If you win, you learn.
Canada should have learned a lot from that game.
Without him, Belgium would not have made it to the World Cup and Real Madrid wouldn't have won the European title.
After saving Davies' penalty in the 11th minute, Courtois confirmed that he is the king of pens. The ratio of saved penalties to spot kicks is the highest in Europe. He has faced 22 penalties and saved six since he joined Real Madrid.
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One of Canada's best chances of the night came in the second half on a Cyle Larin goal, but Courtois made two great saves to keep Canada in the game.
The only light was Courtois. The third team of the last World Cup was so poor that they were not a threat.
When you have the best goalkeeper in the world, it makes your life much easier.
We wanted to see the two players take the field.
To take control of the game and be the creative force was the goal for De Bruyne. He got a lot of things wrong. In the first half, he forgot Youri Tielemans. He missed a great counter attack with a poor ball for Batshuayi and then blasted his shot over the bar.
It was a performance very unlike the KDB we've come to know at Manchester City, perhaps in large part because the supporting cast around him is not of the same level as the one he has at his club but still, we expect more from him. His job is to lead this team.
The aim was to show that even though he was short of match fitness, he could still make a difference. The display from the captain was not up to par.
He came off after 60 minutes with no chances and only two successful dribbles. There is still life in him but it isn't enough right now.
The player who rarely plays at Real Madrid has been kept in the team by the manager. He won't drop him for the game on Sunday but he will be under pressure to do better than against Canada.
Courtois 8, Dendoncker 5, Vertonghen 4,Castagne 5, Tielemans 3, Witsel 4, De Bruyne 4, Hazard 4, Batshuayi 6
Onana, Openda, Meunier, and Trossard were on the subs.
Canada: Borjan 5, Johnston 6, Vitoria 5, Miller 6, Hoilett 6, Larin 5, Hutchinson 7, Eustaquio 7, and Buchanan 6.
Osorio and Kone were on the subs.
The Porto player dominated this game until he was replaced. The 25-year-old Eustaquio recovered the ball nine times and created two chances for his team. He showed how good he is against Belgium.
His manager decided to take him off at half time so that he could get some rest. Tielemans was positioned too high and had no impact on the game. It was not good.
Canada came out from the first whistle with a lot of intensity and speed. When a hand ball was called in the 10th minute, it looked like Canada was going to take the lead.
The Canadian full-back Alphonso Davies stepped up to the spot, but Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois denied him.
🫠 Pero ¿qué te pasó @AlphonsoDavies?
🇨🇦 #CAN aún no puede gritar GOL en esta #FIFAWorldCup
📱 EN VIVO por @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/ixOa12NKts#MundialTelemundo #ElMundialLoEsTodo #BELvsCAN pic.twitter.com/ZjRv0WrRs7
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