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Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal of the game
Photo:
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Canada have lost their first game at a World Cup in 36 years.
In the group game against Belgium, the Canadians lost 0:1 (0:1) despite a courageous performance through a goal by Michy Batshuayi (44th minute).
The Canadians are still waiting for their first World Cup goal.
The country had only qualified once before, for the 1986 tournament in Mexico.
At that time, Canada was eliminated with three defeats and a goal difference of 0:5.
In Group F, Belgium are now top of the table ahead of Croatia and Morocco, who were goalless at midday.
Canada is last.
The favored Belgians came under a lot of pressure in the early stages and almost fell behind when Yannick Carrasco blocked a Tajon Buchanan shot with his hand in the penalty area.
The Bayern professional Alphonso Davies, who tried it on the bottom left, was allowed to shoot.
Real Madrid's world-class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved the shot (10').
Canada acted boldly.
Deep in the Belgian half, sometimes even in the penalty area, the young attackers attacked the Belgians, who initially had problems freeing themselves playfully.
Only after about 20 minutes did Belgium increasingly succeed in overplaying the Canadian pressing and getting into the attacking third.
But there was usually a lack of precision to create real scoring chances.
Canada does not get second penalty
The Canadians were different: In the 38th minute, Richie Laryea penetrated the penalty area to the baseline and went down in a duel with Axel Witsel.
Slow motion showed contact on Laryea's left foot, which would have warranted a second penalty.
However, the video assistant decided against it.
Instead, Belgium made it 1-0 at the other end, initiated by a wonderful volley from central defender Toby Alderweireld behind the Canadian defence.
After a bounce, Batshuayi took the ball straight away and scored the lead with his left (44').
A bitter deficit for Canada, who had 14 goals in the first half – a previous half-time record at this World Cup.
The game continued the same way after the restart: with a lot of speed and large gaps in midfield.
Both teams got into good positions several times, but played their attacks uncleanly, so that there were hardly any great chances.
Batshuayi had the best opportunity for Belgium after a pass from Kevin De Bruyne.
But the shot was blocked (67').
Courtois was able to hold Canada's Cyle Larin's header in a dive (80').
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