Canada will feel hard done by a 1-0 loss to Belgium in their first World Cup game in 36 years on Wednesday. Canada outran, outhustled and dramatically outshot (by 21 to 9) Belgium for much of the game. But a missed penalty for Canada and a first half goal by Michy Batshuayi made the difference for Belgium.
Batshuayi picked up a long ball and outraced Canada’s last defenders before slotting into the goal in the 44th minute. The goal came against the run of play. Canada was undoubtedly a faster and more attacking team than Belgium in the first half. But Canada had failed to convert an early penalty and lost a chance to take the lead.
Here’s what to know:
- In the 10th minute, the video assistant referee confirmed that the hand of Yannick Carrasco of Belgium had blocked a shot by Tajon Buchanan in the 10th minute. But Belgium’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, saved the penalty by Alphonso Davies, Canada’s star. It was part of a frantic opening 15 minutes in which Canada, long a minnow of world soccer, got repeated chances in Belgium’s box. But crucially, none went in.
- Despite its impressive European pedigree, Belgium seemed somewhat flustered by Canada in the early going. Belgium righted the ship by midway through the half mostly by lobbing long balls over the top of the Canada defense, a strategy that eventually paid off with its goal.
- Maybe all that running in the first half tired Canada out; in the second half it no longer looked like it would run circles around Belgium. The chances came at a slower clip, and the team was no longer the whirlwind of the early minutes. The introduction of Cyril Larin, top scorer in qualifying, in the 58th minute, did not provide the goal Canada needed, though his 80th minute header drew a diving save from Courtois.
- Despite the disappointing result, Canada can still advance. Morocco and Croatia drew the other game in the group, and neither looked especially sharp; good results against those teams can still send Canada to the round of 16.
- Canada’s only other World Cup appearance came in 1986, when it was 0-3.