Doha. Canada returned to play in a World Cup 36 years later and, with its sights set on the 2026 one that it will co-organize with the United States and Mexico, it left a message of a job well done and deserved more against a Belgium that is far from the memory of Russia 2018, where it was third, and in which only an ever-present Thibaut Courtois and Michy Batshuayi were saved thanks to their goal.
Eden Hazard went to the locker room at halftime puffing. Faithful reflection of the first half signed by the ‘red devils’. Disorganized, faint-hearted in defense and imprecise in attack. Even Kevin de Bruyne failed his periscope and the golden precision that characterizes him. If you don’t even get that, it’s normal for Hazard to snort.
And it is that Belgium showed in the first 45 minutes all the defects that are attributed to it. But among so much talent there is one that does not go out even in the worst moments: Thibaut Courtois. The goalkeeper knows what it means to save his team, for a reason he was named the best goalkeeper last season.
A handball by Carrasco on a Buchanan shot was reviewed by Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe, who ended an Africa Cup match between Mali and Tunisia in the 85th minute on January 12, on the screen. There was no doubt and Alphonso Davies was preparing to debut in a World Cup with only ten minutes played, but he could not beat the Belgian wall in a maximum penalty that he shot loosely and slightly heeled.
He was not far from being able to make up for it. In the 39th minute, Witsel locked Laryea inside the area, after being easily outpaced. The action was reviewed in the VAR; There was contact, but they decided that it was not enough and the main referee did not even go to see her. Belgium was saved again and a goal came out of nowhere.
Contrary to the preconceived plan, it was Roberto Martínez’s men who used long balls to try to create danger, and in one of Alderweireld he found the sublime version of a hitherto imprecise Michy Batshuayi and on many occasions disconnected from the play due to being outside of game. He defined perfectly with the inside of his left foot, falling, and put an unreal 1-0 by sensations, but tangible in what really matters, the score. 4-14 shooting, but 1-0.
Aware of the poor staging of his team, the Spanish coach made a double change at halftime. Onana for Tielemans -who had two good chances to receive the ball from De Bryune’s boots, but it did not reach him- to reinforce the midfield and Meunier for a Carrasco with a yellow card, outclassed in defense and inactive in attack.
And they were the demonstration that it was not the day of Belgium. Both saw a yellow card ten minutes after being on the pitch. And Meunier made a tackle in the 60th minute that could well cost him the second due to a stomp.
While Belgium did everything possible for Canada to score their first goal in a World Cup, Alphonso Davies showed his personality and went on to play where he wanted. Of everything. With his football, as if he played at x2 speed of WhatsApp audio permanently activated, but it wasn’t his day.
Neither did Cyle Larin’s. The Brugge striker came out in the 58th minute and had three good chances to bring joy to his team, but first Alderweireld anticipated just before he kicked, then it was Courtois who left a header inside the area for nothing and already in minute 86 his header went very high.
Very little prize for Canada in its return to the elite of national team soccer and a lot of work ahead for Roberto Martínez if, really, Belgium’s goal is to become one of the contenders for the title.
– Data sheet:
1 – Belgium: Courtois; Castagne, Dendoncker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Carrasco (Meunier, m.46); Witsel, Tielemans (Onana, m.46); De Bruyne, Batshuayi (Openda, m.78) and Hazard (Trossard, m.62).
0 – Canada: Borjan; Laryea (Adekugbe, m.73), Johnston, Vitória, Miller, Davies; Buchanan (Millar, m.81), Hutchinson (Koné, m.58), Eustaquio (Osorio, 81), Hoilett (Larin, m.58); and Jonathan David.
Goal: 1-0, m.44: Batshuayi.
Referee: Janny Sikazwe (Zambia). He admonished Carrasco (m.9), Meunier (m.53) and Onana (m.56), from Belgium. In Canada they saw yellow Alphonso Davies (m.82) and Johnston (m.83).
Incidents: Match corresponding to the first day of group F of the Qatar 2022 World Cup played at the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium before 40,432 spectators, according to the official figure provided during the match.
