Belgium fought hard to win their first World Cup game, but were pushed all the way by an outstanding effort from Canada.
Canada dominated much of this Group F game but were wasteful in front of goal, especially when Alphonso Davies’ first-half penalty was saved by Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois.
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Courtois also had to make a good save from Alistair Johnston, but Canada were undone on the stroke of halftime when Michy Batshuayi collected Toby Alderweireld’s long ball and fired a powerful left-foot finish past Milan Borjan.
Jonathan David squandered a glorious headed chance to tie the game for Canada, and Courtois also saved from Cyle Larin. Canada was also left with a sense of injustice after two reasonable penalty against Belgium appeals were denied in the first half.
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Canada pushed forward in the second half, but it was Roberto Martinez’s team who came out on top, despite a performance that belied their world ranking of second.