Belgium run ragged by Canada but Michy Batshuayi goal earns them win

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One moment encapsulated Canada’s first performance on the World Cup stage for 36 years. It came in the 48th minute of a cruel defeat by Belgium when Stephen Eust?quio, brimming with adventure and footballing arrogance, nutmegged Kevin de Bruyne and chipped an exquisite cross on to the head of Jonathan David.

He headed wide from close range and Roberto Mart?nez’s much-vaunted side were reprieved yet again. Canada brought everything except a finishing touch. For John Herdman, Canada’s coach, who is from Consett in the north-east of England, it was an encouraging but punishing night against a team seeking to better its third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.

For Mart?nez, it was a night to thank his blessed good fortune. Belgium were lethargic, on the back foot for much of the contest, but departed victorious courtesy of a polished finish by Michy Batshuayi. Canada had 21 attempts on goal to Belgium’s seven but only three on target. One of those was an Alphonso Davies penalty, and that didn’t find its way past Thibaut Courtous either.

Belgium began the World Cup in a trance. They looked dazed, bewildered and alarmingly pedestrian in comparison to opponents who were a blur of energy and incisive movement in their all-white kit. Canada had qualified for their first World Cup since 1986 and only the second in their history with a brave approach built on pace and a high press.

They made no concessions on style against the team ranked second in the world and their boldness should have brought a tangible reward long before Batshuayi opened the scoring, completely against the run of play. But for greater conviction from the penalty spot, and more accuracy with the final ball or shot at the end of several enterprising moves, Canada would have established a comfortable and richly deserved interval lead.

They were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute when Tajon Buchanan’s shot struck the outstretched arm of Yannick Carrasco and the VAR advised referee Janny Sikazwe to consult his pitchside monitor, having initially ignored Canada’s appeals. Sikazwe, the Zambian official who hit the headlines earlier this year when blowing for full-time early during an Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Mali, corrected his decision and Davies stepped forward to take the resulting spot-kick.

The Bayern Munich player’s penalty was poor, weak and comfortably in range for Courtois, who parried low to his right. Davies and Jonathan David made a hash of the rebound, too. Davies, who has pledged to donate all his World Cup earnings to charity, was visibly deflated.

Canada were not. They continued to drive forward in numbers and exploit gaps in a creaking Belgium defence in which Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were showing their combined age of 68. Herdman’s side had seven attempts on goal in the opening 14 minutes.

A claim for a second Canadian penalty was missed by the erratic match officials when Eden Hazard played a careless backpass to Buchanan, who was caught on the ankle by Vertonghen. Buchanan was flagged offside. VAR did take a look at another penalty appeal when Richie Laryea beat Axel Witsel for pace down the right and was caught on the calf by the chasing midfielder. This time it sided with Sikazwe’s initial decision to award a goal kick.

Canada’s captain Atiba Hutchinson, the second-oldest outfield player in World Cup history at 39, behind Roger Milla at 42, sliced wide from just outside the area after an excellent run by Davies. Alistair Johnston forced Courtois into a decent save with a powerful drive and David selfishly elected to shoot when Laryea was totally unmarked inside the area. His effort was deflected into the arms of the Real Madrid goalkeeper.

Belgium had offered little in the final third. Kevin de Bruyne typified their subdued start when embarking on a trademark run through midfield and choosing the wrong pass towards the marked Carrasco when Youri Tielemans was free on the right. When Batshuayi did have sight of goal following good work by Hazard on the left, Canada’s defensive rock Kamal Miller was there to intervene.

But then, a minute before the break, Canada were undone by a searching ball out of defence from Alderweireld. The pass sent Batshuayi sprinting through a gap between Miller and Laryea and he swept a fine first-time finish past the exposed Milan Borjan. With Romelu Lukaku expected to miss at least the opening two games of the World Cup as he recovers from a hamstring injury, Belgium need the former Chelsea forward to be on clinical form.

Mart?nez also requires a vastly improved collective display from this offering. Buchanan should have equalised in first-half stoppage time when Laryea again broke clear down the right and crossed invitingly to the near post. The midfielder, at full stretch but ahead of his marker, skied over from six yards out.

Canada pushed for a leveller throughout the second half without seriously testing Courtois in the Belgium goal. After David’s miss from Eust?quio’s delivery the substitute Cyle Larin forced Courtois into a flying save with a glancing header while, at the other end, Laryea sprinted back superbly to prevent Batshuayi converting a de Bruyne cross. Belgium took the points but no plaudits.