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:
Gavi tipped to be ‘one of the stars of world football’ by Spain boss Enrique
Spain boss Luis Enrique predicted Gavi will be “one of the stars of world football” after the teenager became the youngest World Cup goalscorer since Pele 64 years ago.
Gavi scored Spain’s fifth goal in a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica – La Roja’s biggest-ever World Cup victory.
The Barcelona midfielder’s World Cup goal, a brilliant volley with the outside of the foot which went in off a post, came at the age of 18 years and 110 days.
Pele scored against Wales in a 1958 quarter-final at the age of 17 years and 249 days. Enrique said: “Gavi is a unique player. He is 18 but he has the personality of an experienced player.”
Gavi tipped to be ‘one of the stars of world football’ by Spain boss Enrique
The 18-year-old became Spain’s youngest goalscorer in June.
HT Belgium 1-0 Canada
Worrying signs.
Canada haven’t won any of their last three matches when they’ve conceded the opening goal in a World Cup match.
HT Belgium 1-0 Canada
Michy Batshuayi’s opener is the difference between the teams at half-time.
Half-time: Belgium 1-0 Canada
45+5 mins: There goes the whistle for half-time. Canada created a handful of opportunities in that 45 minutes but they couldn’t take any of them.
Michy Batshuayi took his chance when it came to him and somehow he’s put Belgium in front. They’ll need to play better in the second half though if they want to close out this game.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
45+2 mins: There’s five minutes of added time to play.
Chance! Laryea gets in behind the Belgium defence with another impressive run down the right wing. He puts a teasing pass into the six-yard area and Tajon Buchanan gets in front of his marker.
The Canadian sticks out his left leg and lifts his effort over the crossbar!
GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Canada (Batshuayi, 44’)⚽️
44 mins: That was the danger, Belgium score against the run of play!
It’s not brilliant defending from Canada who allow a simple long ball to come over the top. Yannick Carrasco and Michy Batshuayi follow the ball into the box.
It bounces kindly for Batshuayi who laces a left-footed effort at goal and blasts the ball past Milan Borjan.
Belgium 0-0 Canada
40 mins: Possible penalty for Canada!
Hutchinson combines with Richie Laryea who drives the ball into the penalty area. He’s seemingly clipped by Axel Witsel who tries to keep him at bay and the Canadian hits the deck.
The referee doesn’t award a penalty and after a VAR check the game goes on. Nervous times for Belgium.
Belgium 0-0 Canada
37 mins: Also going against Canada at the minute is the fact that they’re up against a very good goalkeeper.
Thibaut Courtois was exceptional for Real Madrid in the Champions League final last season and his performance won them the trophy. He’s already proven his worth to Belgium tonight by keeping out Davies’ penalty.
Courtois has saved five of the nine penalties he has faced for club and country in all competitions in 2022. That’s (56%).
Belgium 0-0 Canada
34 mins: Canada have missing that crucial, clinical strike to finish off their brilliant moves. They’ve been the more attacking and frankly better side tonight and deserve to be in front but their finishing is letting them down.
There’s a good atmosphere inside the stadium pushing them on though.
Belgium 0-0 Canada
31 mins: Chance! Great pass from Steven Eustaquio who floats an aerial pass up to Tajn Buchanan. He chests the ball under control the slides the ball over to Jonathan David.
David finds himself rushed inside the penalty area and his shot is deflected into the hands of Thibaut Courtois.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies