Canada loses to Belgium

Canada went down 1-0 on Wednesday against Belgium in their first World Cup game since 1986. In the 10th minute of play, Alphonso Davies had the chance to put the Maple Leafs ahead with a penalty, but Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois frustrated him by diving to his right.

Michy Batshuayi (44th) scored the only goal for the « Red Devils » at the end of the first half.

This means that the first scorer in the history of Canada in the World Cup will have to wait. Never has a Canadian player found the back of the net in the competition. In 1986, Canada lost its three games by shutout, in addition to conceding five goals.

However, John Herdman’s troops have nothing to be ashamed of their performance on Wednesday against the Belgians, the world’s second footballing nation. The Maple Leaf tried no less than 22 shots during the game, but only managed three.

“We had the chance to win and be first in the group, but we missed that chance. But I am proud of the performance of my players. We have shown that we belong in this competition,” coach John Herdman said after the match.

CF Montreal representatives Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller were unsurprisingly part of John Herdman’s starting lineup while Ismaël Koné, from Saint-Laurent, entered the match in the 58th minute of play.

With this victory, Belgium temporarily sits at the top of Group F due to the draw between Morocco and Croatia played on Wednesday morning. Canada’s next match is scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m. against Luka Modric’s Croatia.