Belgium vs Canada LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction after Michy Batshuayi hits winner

Belgium 1-0 Canada: Michy Batshuayi scores glorious winner to sink impressive Canada

'Canada has something very special' - Martinez warns his Belgium squad

Belgium kicked off their World Cup 2022 campaign by sneaking past a determined Canada in their opening Group F fixture. Despite being outplayed for most of the game Roberto Martinez’s side took the lead just before half-time through Michy Batshuayi’s left-footed strike.

Yet sometimes the scoreline simply does not tell the whole story. Semi-finalists in 2018, the top-ranked team in the world for more than three years, Belgium duly beat a Canada side absent from this stage since 1986. Most expected them to; just not like this because Belgium were dismal in victory, Canada marvellous in defeat.

Canada were denied by moments of brilliance in either penalty box, whether Michy Batshuayi’s wonderful winner or Thibaut Courtois’ terrific penalty save. The points will go to Roberto Martinez, but the plaudits should belong to John Herdman, whose underdogs made this a memorable occasion.

In 2022, as in 1986, Canada are pointless and goalless in the World Cup 2022 but, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, from the 49th parallel to the Arctic Circle, theirs was a performance to be proud of.

Relive all the action from Belgium vs Canada with our live blog below:

Belgium vs Canada

• Belgium sneak past Canada in Group F opener of World Cup 2022 thanks to Michy Batshuayi’s first half strike
• Vibrant Canada made to rue missed chances as Belgium earn narrow win
• 80’ - CHANCE! Substitute Larin meets a cross with a headed effort but Courtois denies him (BEL 1-0 CAN)
• 51’ - SHOT! Eustaquio snatches at a shot from range and pulls it wide of goal (BEL 1-0 CAN)
• 48’ - CHANCE! David meets a cross from Eustaquio but heads wide (BEL 1-0 CAN)
• 44’ - GOAL! Batshuayi sends Belgium ahead against the run of play (BEL 1-0 CAN)
• 31’ - CHANCE! David’s shot from inside the box gets deflected to Courtois (BEL 0-0 CAN)
• 28’ - SHOT! 39-year-old Hutchinson fizzes a shot wide of goal from range (BEL 0-0 CAN)
• 10’ - SAVED! Davies’ soft effort is palmed away by Courtois (BEL 0-0 CAN)
• 9’ - PENALTY! Carrasco handles the ball inside the box gifting Canada a penalty (BEL 0-0 CAN)

[23 November 2022 16:46 · Michael Jones]

Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

45 mins: There’s going to be five minutes of stoppage time added on at the end of the first half. Costa Rica need to get into the break, they’re been run off their feet out there at present.

[23 November 2022 16:43 · Michael Jones]

Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

42 mins: Costa Rica look tired already. They’ve hardly had any time in possession and have been asked to defend diligently. Asensio makes a run behind the defence and collects the ball as it comes over the top down the right wing.

He’s closed down by a couple of defenders but manages to release the ball as his team mates join him in the final third.

[23 November 2022 16:41 · Michael Jones]

Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

39 mins: Costa Rica have finally move to a back five but Spain are utilising short, sharp passes to play around them. They have six men in and around the penalty area as Cesar Azpilicueta brings the ball down the right wing.

Ferran Torres makes a run off the ball into the six-yard area but Azpilicueta’s cross skips over the top of his head and Costa Rica clear the danger.

[23 November 2022 16:37 · Michael Jones]

Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

36 mins: Spain have scored three goals in the first half of a World Cup match for only the second time in their history, also doing so against Brazil in 1934.

Jewison Bennette, the young Costa Rican attacker, is trying to drive his team onward. He brings the ball down the left side but runs into trouble and gets dispossessed as there are limited options in the box for him.

[23 November 2022 16:36 · Michael Jones]

Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

33 mins: Spain have had 87% possession and have killed off the game well before half-time. They’re in cruise control now and Luis Enrique will be thinking ahead to the Germany game on Sunday.

[23 November 2022 16:32 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (Ferran, 31’)⚽️

31 mins: Game over. Ferran Torres is up for Spain and calmly sends Keylor Navas diving the wrong way to his right as he slides the ball over to the opposite corner.

Spain are 3-0 to the good and there’s no chance of another upset tonight.

[23 November 2022 16:32 · Michael Jones]

Penalty to Spain!

Spain 2-0 Costa Rica

29 mins: Things are going from bad to worse for Costa Rica. Jordi Alba weaves his way into the penalty area and is clipped but a scrappy attempted tackle from Oscar Duarte.

It’s a soft penalty but the referee points to the spot.

[23 November 2022 16:30 · Michael Jones]

Spain 2-0 Costa Rica

25 mins: Marco Asensio is Spain’s 50th different goalscorer at the World Cup. Costa Rica look incredible shaky in defence now as Spain pass it with seeming ease.

[23 November 2022 16:21 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Spain 2-0 Costa Rica (Asensio, 21’)⚽️

21 mins: Two for Spain!

Costa Rica had looked to get further up the pitch but they’ve been undone by a diagonal pass out to Jordi Alba on the left wing. He’s pushed high up the pitch and brings the ball under control before picking out Marco Asensio in the penalty area.

Asensio meets it with a first time effort and guides the ball beautifully into the far bottom corner!

[23 November 2022 16:20 · Michael Jones]

Spain 1-0 Costa Rica

15 mins: Spain continue to press their advantage but Costa Rica are sticking to their original shape. The Central American side see a bit of possession inside the Spanish final third but can’t get the ball into the box.