Belgium, ranked third in the previous World Cup, suffered more than expected to beat Canada 1-0 in their first match at Qatar-2022, this Wednesday, November 23, in Doha, in a match where Thibaut Courtois saved a penalty.
Michy Batshuayi, an attacking replacement for the injured Romelu Lukaku, scored the only goal of the night at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in the 44th minute.
On paper, the European team, number two in the FIFA rankings, were the big favourites, but the Canadians, 41st in the table, surprised from the start, generating more danger and even wasting a penalty.
Courtois, the best goalkeeper of the last World Cup in Russia-2018, returned to the tournament by saving this maximum penalty against Alphonso Davies in the 11th minute.
The Bayern Munich player passed up the chance to become Canada’s all-time top scorer at a World Cup, a tournament he returned to on Wednesday after 36 years.
In their only previous participation, Mexico-1986, the North American team was eliminated in the group stage with three defeats and without scoring a goal.
Matchday 2 on Sunday 27, Belgium will try to confirm their status as favorites and improve their image, in a duel against Morocco, while Canada will continue to look to open their Cup points and goals record. world, in this case against Croatia.
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#VIDEO | Speech by the Saudi coach at half-time to motivate his players https://t.co/l3leOeW5Lx pic.twitter.com/cf8UXf8H9k
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