One moment encapsulated Canada’s first performance on the World Cup stage in 36 years. It came in the 48th minute of a cruel defeat by Belgium when Stephen Eustaquio, full of adventure and footballing arrogance, hooked Kevin de Bruyne and curled an exquisite cross over the head of Jonathan David.
He headed in from close range and Roberto MartÃnez’s much-vaunted team held back. Canada took all but one final touch. For Canada coach John Herdman, who is from Consett in northeast England, it was an encouraging but punishing night against a team looking to improve on their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
For Martinez, it was a night to be thankful for his good fortune. Belgium were lethargic, on the back foot for much of the contest, but emerged victorious thanks to a polished finish from Michy Batshuayi. Canada had 21 attempts on goal to Belgium’s seven, but only three on target. One of them was a penalty by Alphonso Davies, which also failed to beat Thibaut Courtous.
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Belgium started the World Cup in a trance. They looked dazed, bewildered and alarmingly pedestrian compared to opponents who were a blur of energy and incisive movement in their all-white outfit. Canada had qualified for their first World Cup since 1986 and only the second in their history with a brave approach based on pace and high pressure.
They made no concessions in style against the world’s second-ranked team and their audacity should have yielded tangible reward long before Batshuayi opened the scoring, completely against the run of play. But for more conviction from the penalty spot and more accuracy with the ball or the final shot at the end of several enterprising moves, Canada would have established a comfortable and deserved interval lead.
They were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute when Tajon Buchanan’s shot hit the outstretched arm of Yannick Carrasco and VAR advised referee Janny Sikazwe to consult his pitchside monitor, having ignored Canada appeals initially. Sikazwe, the Zambia official who made headlines earlier this year when he played full-time ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Mali, corrected his decision and Davies made one step forward to throw the resulting exit point.
Canadian Alphonso Davies takes his penalty in the first half, which Thibaut Courtois saves. Photo: Nick Potts/PA
The Bayern Munich player’s penalty was poor, weak and comfortably within reach of Courtois, who parried low to his right. Davies and Jonathan David also hashed the rebound. Davies, who has pledged to donate all his World Cup earnings to charity, was visibly deflated.
Canada were not. They continued to push forward in numbers and exploit gaps in a creaky Belgium defense in which Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were showing their combined age of 68. Herdman’s side had seven attempts on goal in the first 14 minutes.
Erratic match officials did not claim a second Canadian penalty when Eden Hazard made a sloppy pass to Buchanan, who was caught on the ankle by Vertonghen. Buchanan was flagged for offside. VAR took a look at another penalty appeal when Richie Laryea beat Axel Witsel at pace down the right and was caught on the calf by the chasing midfielder. This time he sided with Sikazwe’s initial decision to award a goal kick.
Canadian captain Atiba Hutchinson, the second-oldest outfield player in World Cup history at 39 behind Roger Milla at 42, headed over from outside the box after a superb run by Davies. Alistair Johnston forced Courtois into a decent save with a powerful drive and David selfishly elected to shoot when Laryea was completely unmarked inside the box. His effort was deflected into the arms of the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
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Belgium had offered little in the final third. Kevin de Bruyne typified his lackluster start as he embarked on a characteristic run through midfield and picked the wrong pass to the marked Carrasco when Youri Tielemans was free on the right. When Batshuayi saw the goal after good work from Hazard down the left, Canadian defender Kamal Miller was there to intervene.
But then, a minute before the break, Canada broke loose with a ball looking out of Alderweireld’s defence. The pass saw Batshuayi sprint through a gap between Miller and Laryea and sweep a fine first-time finish past the exposed Milan Borjan. With Romelu Lukaku expected to miss at least the first two games of the World Cup as he recovers from a hamstring injury, Belgium need the former Chelsea striker to be clinically fit.
MartÃnez also requires a much improved collective display of this offer. Buchanan should have equalized in first-half stoppage time when Laryea again broke down the right and crossed invitingly at the near post. The midfielder, while stretching but in front of his marker, skied from six meters.
Canada pushed for a tie in the second half without seriously testing Courtois in the Belgium goal. After David’s failure from Eustaquio’s delivery, substitute Cyle Larin forced Courtois into a flying save with a header, while at the other end Laryea sprinted superbly back to keep out Batshuayi converted a cross from Bruyne. Belgium took the points but not the plaudits.