Batshuayi and Courtois earn Belgium win over impressive Canada

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Batshuayi and Courtois earn Belgium win over impressive Canada
Updated
 Batshuayi gave Belgium the lead just before the break
Batshuayi gave Belgium the lead just before the break
StatsPerform, Reuters
A goal from Michi Batshuayi at the end of the first half gifted Belgium a crucial win over a Canada side that had much of the game and were denied from the spot early on when Alphonso Davies' penalty was saved by Thibault Courtois. The result sends the Red Devils top of Group F ahead of Croatia and Morocco, who drew earlier in the day.

Full Time: Belgium 1 Canada 0

21:59 CET: Although Belgium got all three points, it's safe to say Canada will have earnt themselves a lot of fans tonight with a bucaneering performance full of attacking verve. Read our full report from the game, written by Rory Baird, and check out all the match stats, thanks to StatsPerform.

Full Time Statistics
StatsPerform

Second Half

21:52 CET: Some customary game and time management from Belgium to see the clock down. And, it has to be said, they are doing a good job at it.

21:50 CET: Five minutes of added time for Canada to find that leveller or for Belgium to hold on to a crucial three points

21:50 CET: Into the 90th minute and the ball breaks for Jonathan David in the Belgium box, but Jan Vertonghen is equal to it. The experienced defender using all his years there to ensure his side stay in front. Canada, though, are not going down without a fight.

21:48 CET: Time is running out for Canada to get anything out of the game, but if they do, it could come from substitute Larin. He has an effort off target, but he has been a real spark since coming on.

21:46 CET: Belgium's Dendoncker, on as a sub, heads over from a De Bruyne free-kick, he should have done better given how close he was.

21:40 CET: Another chance goes begging for Canada. A super cross from Johnston finds Cyle Larin, but Courtois is equal to it. The Real Madrid stopper has been the difference for Belgium tonight. Nine minutes left of the 90.

21:39 CET: Michi Batshuayi, the difference in this game at the moment has taken his bow. On in his place is Lois Openda for his sixth cap.

21:34 CET: Richie Laryea has run himself into the ground tonight, so time for him to take a breather. He is replaced by Sam Adekugbe.

21:33 CET: Under 20 minutes left in this game and Canada's final pass is starting to fail them. What can they do to find a leveller?

21:28 CET: Superb defending from Richie Laryea. Kevin De Bruyne escapes down the right and finds Batshuayi unmarked in the box, but in steams the right wing back Laryea to slide in and block the shot. He jump up and pumps the air, this means a lot to him and his side.

21:25 CET: A small spell of pressure for Belgium - Andre Onana strides forward, rides a tackle before miscontrolling. It allows Canada to break but they can't capitalise. It's end-to-end stuff now. 

21:22 CET: Eden Hazard is leaving the field of play - not his best night - for Leandro Trossard of Brighton.

21:18 CET: Nearly an hour gone in this game and Canada make their first changes with Ismael Kone coming on for Atiba Hutchinson and Junior Hoilett departing for Cyle Larin. Some fresh legs in this attacking system, perfectly highlighted by their average positions. Yes, that is the correct way up.

Canada's average positions
StatsPerform

21:13 CET: It's remarkable the problems this Canadian team have caused Belgium - they have now had 16 shots to their opponents' four - but they are still chasing that elusive equaliser. Meunier is booked for a collision with Jonathan David, he will have to be careful in that vulnerable wing back spot.

21:09 CET: Canada are not for changing. Stephen Eustaquio nutmegs Kevin De Bruyne before delivering a lovely cross to pick out Jonathan David, but he can only head wide. 

21:05 CET: The players are back out for the second half and Belgium have made a double change to sort out their defence. Thomas Meunier and Andre Onana are both on for Youri Tielemans and Yannick Carrasco. It is the Red Devils who get the second half started.

Half Time

20:53 CET: The momentum graphic gives a great summary of the half - Canada piling on the pressure with Belgium doing their best to break free.

First half momentum
StatsPerform

20:51 CET: A breathless half of football where Canada had Belgium on the ropes, but it the Red Devils who find themselves leading at the break. Let's hope for another 45 minutes of that in the second half.

Here are your match stats so far: 

Half time statistics
StatsPerform

First Half

20:47 CET: Undettered, Canada are back on the attack - this time a wicked cross finds Tajon Buchanon sliding in but he hooks it over the bar. Another good chance for John Herdman's side before the break.

20:46 CET: Five minutes of added time at the end of the half.

20:44 CET: A REAL SUCKER PUNCH - BELGIUM LEAD THROUGH BATSHUAYI!

A goal against the run of play, Michi Batshuayi shows some clinical finishing after a cross from Toby Alderweireld to give his side the lead just before the break. A huge goal that could swing this game around.

20:39 CET: This time no penalty for Canada - you feel they have to score before the break given their momentum in this half.

20:38 CET: The first lull in the game lasts all of two minutes as Canada have another penalty shout and again it's gone to VAR...

20:33 CET: If for some reason you aren't listening to our audio commentary, we implore you to - this game is open and being played at a great pace.

20:31 CET: It is relentless pressure from the Canadians, they are cutting Belgium open on every attack. This time Lille's Jonathan David gets a shot away in the box, but it is tame and claimed by Courtois.

20:29 CET: Canada's wing backs Davies and Richie Laryea are causing Belgium all sorts of problems with their pace. Laryea breaks down the right but can't find a man. Soon after, Courtois is forced into another save by Johnston. Canada well on top here.

20:23 CET: Michy Batshuayi gets himself into a good position but just as he takes a shot, the defence close him down. Moments later, Canada break well with pace - that could be a threat later in the piece.

20:20 CET: A first foray forward in some time for Belgium and it's Kevin De Bruyne steaming forward. He has Youri Tielemans to his right through on goal, but he picks the wrong pass and his Belgian teammate is pretty annoyed with him - rightly so.

20:16 CET: Canada forward again, this time through Junior Hoilett. He turns well to create some space for himself in the box, but flashes his left-footed shot wide of the mark. Belgium need to wake up here or they will be behind.

20:14 CET: Despite the penalty miss, Canada are on top with seven shots in the first 13 minutes. They have started really strongly and caught Belgium cold so far.

20:10 CET: It will be Alphonso Davies to take the spot kick and he... MISSES! Courtois saves and Canada cannot capitalise on the rebound. A huge moment so early in this game.

20:09 CET: PENALTY TO CANADA

20:07 CET: A corner for Canada falls to Buchanan, who sees his shot deflected into the arms of Thibault Courtois. However, there is a VAR check for potential penalty after a handball from Carrasco...

20:02 CET: An early shot for both sides which don't test the keepers - is this a sign of things to come?

20:00 CET: We are under way in Al Rayyan.

Pre-match

19:50 CET: We are in Al Rayyan for tonight's game, a good atmosphere building ahead of kick off with both teams now in the tunnel. For Canada, a huge night, their first World Cup game since 1986 in Mexico. They are yet to register a win or a goal in their World Cup finals history - will that change tonight?

Stay tuned for our live text updates or follow our audio commentary here.

Team News

Roberto Martinez has selected striker Michy Batshuayi (29) to lead his attack in the absence of injured Romelu Lukaku (29), while Eden Hazard (31) also starts.

Lois Openda (22) was the other option in the number nine striker role, but he is on the bench having scored in the 2-1 friendly loss to Egypt last Friday. Hazard has been selected despite playing only 98 minutes for Real Madrid in LaLiga this season.

Defender Jan Vertonghen (35) has recovered from the injury that kept him sidelined in the build-up to the tournament and is in the starting XI, but the in-form Leandro Trossard (27) has to settle for a place among the substitutes.

Canada have included their lead attacking duo Alphonso Davies (22) and Jonathan David (22), and will have Porto defensive midfielder Stephen Eustaquio (25) shielding the back-four. Serbia-based goalkeeper Milan Borjan (35) will add to his 68 caps.

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Leander Dendoncker, Timothy Castagne, Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans, Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi

Canada: Milan Borjan, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Alistair Johnston, Alphonso Davies, Stephen Eustaquio, Atiba Hutchinson, Tajon Buchanan, Junior Hoilett, Jonathan David

See how the teams will shape up here.

Introduction

Belgium's much-vaunted Golden Generation is coming to the end of its days with plenty of their key players now on the wrong side of 30. They might not be quite the fearsome force they were four years ago in Russia - where they finished third - but they still have plenty of quality.

The likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois make this side one to be taken very seriously. Their FIFA world ranking of second might be a little flattering but Roberto Martinez's side will still be eyeing the semi-finals as a minimum achievement.

Canada, meanwhile, come into this tournament as an outsider in Group F but having really impressed in the qualifying campaign by topping the North American confederation.

They have an interesting mix of youth and experience to call on for their first World Cup since 1986. Don't be fooled, they are not simply in Qatar to make up the numbers.

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