With experience and thanks to a goal from Batshuayi, the Belgians have provided the essentials and start their World Cup with a victory (1-0). Intense in the first period, the Canadians lacked realism before withering away.
22:07 – Batshuayi: “Not the best Belgium”
“It was a complicated game and not the best Belgium tonight but I’m sure we’ll go into this competition stronger and stronger. We’ll only remember the three points tonight. There were mistakes and we We’ll discuss it among ourselves”analyzed Batshuayi, the only scorer of the evening and lucid about the performance of his team against Canada.
22:00 – The incredible series continues
With this new success against Canada, Belgium stretches their incredible series in the group stage of the World Cup. The Red Devils are undefeated in their last 13 matches in the group stage of the World Cup, since a loss against Saudi Arabia in their third match of the 1994 edition (0-1). They have also won the most recent 8, equaling Brazil (twice, from 1986 to 1994 and from 2002 to 2010).
21:55 – Belgium provides the essentials (1-0)
After a much better controlled second half, Belgium ensured victory and made a success of their entry into the World Cup. Abused for 45 minutes, the Belgians imposed themselves on the experience against Canadians who were too clumsy, who ended up withering away, losing track of their game and their intentions.
21:54 – The Canadians too broth
In a hurry, after having recovered a ball on the bad combination between De Bruyne and Openda, Borjan lengthens but without worrying about the precision. Larin is too alone and far too far away to challenge a Courtois in an armchair to pick up.
21:53 – No space
The Belgian defense has closed ranks and leaves no room for Canadian incursions like this complicated pass from Millar to David.
21:52 – Additional time: 5 minutes
There will be 5 minutes of additional time in this second period between Belgium and Canada.
21:50 – Meunier gets a corner
On a long clearance, the head of the Canadian midfielder offers the ball to Meunier. It’s a three against three and the former Parisian plays it solo by hitting from outside the right. This hits Vitoria’s head and goes for a corner.
21:49 – Millar can’t find anyone
Canadians give their all. Davies looks for a solution in front of the box and steers left for Millar whose cross is pushed back by Vertonghen’s header.
21:48 – Larin can’t do it
On the left side, Adekugbe wraps a perfect center in the box where Larin is ahead of his defender but fails to dominate the ball which bounces off the top of his head to miss the target.
21:46 – De Bruyne lacks application
De Bruyne takes advantage of the cross call in the axis of Openda to open a shooting window. In position at 20 meters, he arms but his ball escapes him and goes well above.
21:45 – Violent tackle from Johnston
On a Belgian counter led by Openda, Johnston is beaten in speed and throws himself with both feet off to shear the Belgian striker from behind. The referee is lenient despite the uncontrolled gesture and only gives a yellow when the red would have been logical. The free kick gives nothing behind.
21:43 – Canada’s latest changes
Ten minutes from the end of regulation time, Herdman made his last two substitutions and threw his last strength into the battle leaving Estaquio and Buchanan for Osorio and Millar.
21:41 – Impeccable courtesy
On the right, Johnston once again takes over his vis-à-vis and sends a precise center towards Larin. The striker uncrosses his head and sees Courtois relax to collect the ball.
21:40 – Batshuayi gives way
Sole scorer of the evening for the moment, Batshuayi is recalled to the bench 12 minutes from the end of regulation time. It is replaced by Openda.
21:38 – Canadian Headquarters
The Canadians have invested the Belgian camp and besiege the opposing surface. David tries his change but is countered by a forest of legs. The ball is not lost however and from the right wing, Buchanan rolls up a cross that Alderweireld is responsible for pushing back with the right foot. The stands are red for Canada and push behind Herdman’s men.
21:37 – Larin loses control
On a ball from the right, Larin lacks control when getting into a striking position and allows Vertonghen to clear his side.
21:35 – New Canadian change
The Canadian coach is making his third change by leaving Laryea in favor of Adekugbe, initially scheduled to start.
21:34 – Trossard knits too much
Trossard is served at the entrance to the area. The Belgian tries to get around Miller and Johnston but comes up against the second who relaunch his camp.
21:32 – Canada less dangerous
Author of a flamboyant first period, Canada struggled to approach the Belgian goal in this second period, better controlled by the experienced Belgians. He has 20 minutes left to try to force fate and finally score in the World Cup.
21:30 – Dendoncker stops Larin
Larin can overflow on the left and tries to speed up Dendoncker but the Belgian defender is well placed and puts his foot to counter the acceleration in touch.
21:28 – Laryea’s winning comeback
Right side, De Bruyne deposits Miller and accelerates in the hallway. It’s a 4 against one that is emerging. The point guard uses Trossard’s call to the near post to set back Batshuayi, who has stalled. the former Marseille player is alone but takes too long to shoot, which allows Laryea to burst in and counter him with a sliding tackle. Corner.
21:27 – Laryea next door
At 20 meters, Laryea triggers quickly but crosses his left attempt too much.
21:26 – Onana’s poor control
Onana goes into percussion from 30 meters. He is in a duel with Koné who throws himself from behind, touching the ball. The Belgian player is destabilized and in wanting to go back into the box pushes his ball too far.
21:24 – The frame slips away again
The Canadians continue to put pressure but still have as much difficulty in hanging on the Belgian frame. On the right side, Onana is overwhelmed but the Canadian center is behind everyone’s back. Hutchinson makes the effort to step back and continues with a shot that flies high above from outside the box.
21:23 – Hazard leaves
Without being bad but not often in evidence, Eden Hazard left the pitch shortly after the hour mark. He was replaced by Trossard.