NOTafter his bitter World Cup debut from Canada Star player Alphonso Davies was comforted by his teammates and also by some Belgian professionals, after which the Bayern Munich professional buried his inconsolable face in his shirt. With his missed hand penalty, Davies missed a great opportunity to cap off the courageous Canadian performance in the early stages. Instead, the Canadians had to concede defeat to old Belgian stars on Wednesday night 0:1 (0:1) and endured a painful World Cup comeback.
13,361 days after the previous World Cup game, Canada convinced, but Michy Batshuayi (44th minute) of Fenerbahce Istanbul secured the lucky eighth preliminary round victory for Al-Rajjan from Belgium series at a World Cup. The young and strong Canadians, meanwhile, went unrewarded for their brave performance and, 36 years after the last World Cup match in Mexico in 1986, went scoreless and scoreless in a world tournament. . The chance of a respectable success would have been there, but Davies from Bayern put a penalty with his hand (10th) into the arms of Belgian world goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Nevertheless, the North Americans were cheered on by the spectators after the final whistle.
Belgian coach Roberto Martinez didn’t care. “We know we didn’t play well and we have to improve. But we won the game that matters,” Martinez said. “I would have preferred to see a better performance. Canada were better than us. But at the end of the day, this victory is more important than the one where you play well.” We did a great performance, but we should have taken three points. Unfortunately, we missed that, but I’m proud of the achievement. And we made the fans proud too. We showed that we were right to be here. .
The ice hockey nation set the tone from the start in front of 40,432 spectators. Full of passion, the ghosts of the World Cup put pressure on Belgium. The Belgians’ aging golden generation, still without a title, struggled their way into the game and were lucky with the penalty. Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe only recognized a clear hand from Atlético Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco after the video referee intervened. The wrong penalty made Courtois the first Belgian goalkeeper in 66 years to save a penalty at a World Cup.
Only after that the favorite woke up. Every time ManCity’s Kevin De Bruyne picked up the pace, it became dangerous. Behind them, Real Madrid led Eden Hazard direction. The 31-year-old captain has played in his twelfth World Cup, although he has been fit for years and has only made three Primera División appearances this season. However, Hazard justified coach Roberto Martinez’s trust with a dedicated effort.
Nevertheless, the Belgian attacking game was still too imprecise. Canada had many more shots on goal, but were also unlucky not to be awarded two more penalties for fouls. As is often the case, missed opportunities took their revenge. Romelu Lucacus Representative Batshuayi beat CF Montreal’s Kamal Miller in a running duel just before halftime and finished well to take the lead at halftime.
Prior to the match, Lukaku’s long-term injury had raised serious concerns in Belgium. The 29-year-old striker, who has only made five appearances for Inter this season due to a nagging muscle injury, will be able to play the second group game against Morocco at the earliest on Sunday (2:00 p.m. CET). FAZ live ticker for the World Cupon ZDF and on MagentaTV).
Despite the lead and two changes at the break – including Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier who came to his sixth World Cup game wearing a face mask after breaking his cheekbone – Belgium continued to have problems against the strong Canadians. Captain Atiba Hutchinson also impressed in the North American defensive midfield. The Besiktas Istanbul veteran has become the second oldest outfield player in World Cup history after Cameroon’s Roger Milla. Hutchinson was 39 years and 288 days old on Wednesday. Milla was still used in 1994 during the World Cup in the USA at the age of 42.
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It was also due to the veteran’s presence in midfield that there were hardly any backup attacks from Belgium. Instead, substitute Cyle Larin (80th) had a great chance to equalize from a header, but Courtois failed. The Belgium favorite claimed the seventh consecutive victory in a World Cup opener as time went on because the Canadians were also fading.
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Belgium narrowly defeats Canada at World Cup in Qatar
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