The game started with the Belgian side having the ball and they almost took the lead with Batshuayi drawing a save from Borjan in the Canada net. Then in the 8th minute Buchanan smashed his volley which hit the hand of Carrasco then after a lengthy var check the ref gave it a penalty which gave Canada to score their first world cup goal since 1986 but they couldn’t take that opportunity as Davies placed his pen into the gloves of Courtois who makes an easy save keeping that pen out.
This gave was even as both sides were starting to attack at each other and create chances and the Belgian side were creating more good chances as Batshuayi comes close to a goal again as his effort was forced wide after some good play from hazard and de Bruyne set him up but all he could do was force his effort wide this game was panning out well for both sides as it was even. Canada created a good chance as Buchanan picked out David in the box, but his effort was blocked by Vertonghen. This game was crying out for a goal, and it soon came as the Belgian side took the lead as Alderweireld lifted an inch perfect ball into Batshuayi who made sure he took his chance this time burying his finish into the far corner giving him side the lead just before half time. The Canadian side had one more chance just before halftime as Laryea laid it on a plate for Buchanan, but he couldn’t do anything with his effort on goal.
The first half was so even as both teams had chances to take the lead, but the Belgian side took theirs when they needed to giving them a lead into the second half. The second half started with Caneda creating chances and they almost found their leveller as Eustaquio picked out David, but the striker failed to keep his header on target. Both teams were creating so many chances and it could’ve been 2-0 to Belgium as De Bruyne squared the ball to Batshuayi who’s shot was just blocked by Laryea. In the end both teams didn’t create enough chances in the second half, and it stayed 1-0 to Belgium in that tight contest.
Man of the match: Toby Alderweireld
It was an exceptional performance from the experienced centre back as he was key to keeping a clean sheet for his nation today as he made some important clearances and blocks which helped Belgium on their way to an important win to start off their world cup campaign and they will need him to put in more performances like that if they want to go far in the tournament.
Flop of the match: Jonathan David
It was a quiet game for the Lille striker as he barely made anything out the chances he was laid to, and it was just a poor performance from the Canadian striker. He will need to prove himself in the next two games if him and his side want to shock everyone and progress through their group as it was just a bad day in the office for him who will want to play much better than he did today.
The stats showed that both teams were playing well, and it showed how even the game was as Canada dominated the shots having twenty-one with three of them being on target whilst Belgium had 7 which is embarrassing from a team like them. The possession stats show a different picture though as Belgium had more possession amassing fifty three percent whilst Canada had forty-seven percent overall it was an even game and Canada were lucky not to get a draw, but they should be proud of themselves as they showed fight and hunger which they should take into their next game.
Luke's Football blog 