Belgium vs Canada LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction after Michy Batshuayi hits winner
Belgium 1-0 Canada: Michy Batshuayi scores glorious winner to sink impressive Canada
Belgium kicked off their World Cup 2022 campaign by sneaking past a determined Canada in their opening Group F fixture. Despite being outplayed for most of the game Roberto Martinez’s side took the lead just before half-time through Michy Batshuayi’s left-footed strike.
Yet sometimes the scoreline simply does not tell the whole story. Semi-finalists in 2018, the top-ranked team in the world for more than three years, Belgium duly beat a Canada side absent from this stage since 1986. Most expected them to; just not like this because Belgium were dismal in victory, Canada marvellous in defeat.
Canada were denied by moments of brilliance in either penalty box, whether Michy Batshuayi’s wonderful winner or Thibaut Courtois’ terrific penalty save. The points will go to Roberto Martinez, but the plaudits should belong to John Herdman, whose underdogs made this a memorable occasion.
In 2022, as in 1986, Canada are pointless and goalless in the World Cup 2022 but, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, from the 49th parallel to the Arctic Circle, theirs was a performance to be proud of.
Relive all the action from Belgium vs Canada with our live blog below:
Belgium 1-0 Canada
72 mins: Less than 20 minutes plus added time to go now for Canada who seem to be tiring. They’ve pressed Belgium exceptionally well so far and need to keep those intensity levels high.
It’s going to be a tough ask for them though.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
69 mins: Incredible defending from Richie Laryea! Belgium create an overload after Kamal Miller’s mistimed challenge which sees De Bruyne in space on the right.
He slides the ball into Batshuayi who takes an age to control it. Laryea sprints back and lunges in from behind just as the Belgian takes his shot.
Laryea blocks the effort and knocks it out for a corner!
Belgium 1-0 Canada
66 mins: Cyle Larin keeps the ball in play at the byline but Leander Dendoncker cuts short Canada’s attack. He clears the ball to Kevin De Bruyne who drives up the pitch before slotting a pass over to Michy Batshuayi.
Kamal Miller comes flying across and leaps into the tackle. He wins the ball and kicks Canada back into attack. Fantastic tackle.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
63 mins: Eden Hazard’s night is over as Brighton’s Leandro Trossard is introduced to replace him for Belgium. Hazard didn’t really have the impact on the game he would have been hoping for.
Belgium lose possession deep in their own half and a squared pass sees the ball roll over to Tajon Buchanan who hurridly takes a shot from range and belts it very high over the crossbar!
Belgium 1-0 Canada
60 mins: Buchanan dribbles down the left side and runs into Meunier who leaves a bit too much on the attacker gifting Canada another free kick in a dangerous area.
Eustaquio takes this one too but curls the set piece straight out of play as he targetted his team mates over by the back post.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
57 mins: John Herdman looks to his bench just before the hour mark and makes a double substitution with Cyle Larin and Ismael Kone coming on to replace Junior Hoilett and Atiba Hutchinson.
Larin had a very good qualifying campaign for Canada who will need him to get on the scoresheet again tonight.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
54 mins: Yellow card! A diagonal ball comes across the pitch with Hoilett and Meunier colliding as they try to win it in the air. Meunier leads with his elbow and clips Hoilett on the back of the head earning himself a place in the book.
Canada win a free kick that Eustaquio lifts over to the far side of the penalty area. Belgium hold their line high and the ball goes over everyone.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
51 mins: Shot! Canada continue to push high up the pitch with Belgium sitting off them and holding their shape just inside the penalty are.
Eustaquio is given the ball and he shifts it to the right to create enough space for a long ranged effort. There’s decent power behind the shot but he hooks it well wide of the far post.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
48 mins: Chance! How many more opportunities will Canada get? Buchanan and Johnston combine on the right wing but run into trouble and have to release the ball back to Eustaquio.
He flicks a brilliant pass into the box and perfectly finds David who then whips his headed effort wide of the far post!
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