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 14:57 · Michael Jones]

Busquets on winning the World Cup

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is competing in his fourth World Cup tournament and won the trophy with Spain in 2010. The 34-year-old also won the 2012 European Championship and is "dreaming" of winning another title in Qatar.

"I’m very happy to be here, regardless of whether it’s my second or fourth World Cup. I won’t make any decisions during or afterwards," said Busquets who put to bed the rumours that this would be his final World Cup for Spain.

"I am here to enjoy it, whatever happens. Obviously I am closer to this being my last World Cup."

[23 November 2022 14:53 · Michael Jones]

Japan lead Germany!

Oh my word. Japan have come from a goal behind to lead Germany 2-1. They’ve never beaten the Germans in competitive football and are on the verge of a historic win.

There’s just the seven minutes of stoppage time to play.

If Japan can hold on and win then they will blow Group E wide open ahead of kick off between Spain and Costa Rica at 4pm.

[23 November 2022 14:51 · Michael Jones]

Sportswashing and spectacle as Qatar’s World Cup of conflicts kicks off

As Lionel Messi and the Argentine squad arrived in Qatar this week, driving through a £220bn infrastructure project built on “modern slavery”, there was unmistakable excitement. The players can’t quite believe the World Cup is suddenly here again. “Another chance” at victory and immortality. It was much the same in the England camp, where the 14 players who have never been to the competition were almost just saying to each other: “It’s the World Cup!”

And one like no other, for reasons far beyond the fact that it is starting in November.

The disrupted calendar has at once made this World Cup one that has suddenly come out of nowhere and yet also weighed over the game for more than a decade. It is a mere week’s preparation that goes back 12 years.

That apparent contradiction appropriately reflects so many conflicts running through this World Cup. There is not a moral conflict, it should be stressed. It is unchallengeable: this World Cup should not be taking place in Qatar.

[23 November 2022 14:47 · Michael Jones]

Spain vs Costa Rica confirmed line-ups ahead of World Cup fixture

Spain take on Costa Rica in Group E of the World Cup.

Spain have been disappointing at World Cups since winning the tournament in 2010 but Luis Enrique is leading a bright new generation in Qatar.

Barcelona’s Pedri, 19, and Gavi, 18, are set to start in midfield, with La Roja offering a reminder of their quality when they reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals.

Costa Rica return to the World Cup following their brilliant run to the quarter-finals in 2014. Keylor Navas, Bryan Oviedo and Joel Campbell remain a key part of the team.

Here’s everything you need to know:

[23 November 2022 14:44 · Michael Jones]

Costa Rica line-up

Costa Rica XI: Navas; Fuller, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo; Tejeda, Borges; Martinez, Campbell, Bennette; Contreras

(AFP via Getty Images)

[23 November 2022 14:39 · Michael Jones]

Japan draw level with Germany!

There are 15 minutes plus stoppage time left in the other Group E fixture of the day as Germany take on Japan. The Germans took a slender lead in that one but the Japanese have fought back to level things at 1-1.

This should be a cracking finish and you can follow the action right here:

[23 November 2022 14:37 · Michael Jones]

Spain vs Costa Rica

Kick off for this one is at 4pm. Luis Enrique has already named the Spanish starting XI which some pacey attackers in Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo.

They sit either side of experienced striker Marco Asensio who will be able supplied by teenagers Pedri and Gavi.

(REUTERS)

(Getty Images)

[23 November 2022 14:33 · Michael Jones]

Spain line-up

Spain XI: Unai; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Alba, Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Ferran, Asensio, Olmo

[23 November 2022 14:30 · Michael Jones]

Spain vs Costa Rica

Spain are facing Costa Rica for the fourth time since 2011.

Their three previous head-to-heads have produced 12 goals with an average of four per game.

[23 November 2022 14:24 · Michael Jones]

Spain vs Costa Rica

This is the first encounter between Spain and Costa Rica at the World Cup. In their three previous meetings - all friendlies - Spain are unbeaten against the Central American side with two wins and one draw.