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
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:
Spain score seven in World Cup annihilation of dismal Costa Rica
Spain put on an exhibition, that is also an ominous display of their quality.
It might be far too early to call this 7-0 rout a victory of champions, but it’s fair to say it was the most complete and convincing team performance of this World Cup 2022 so far. Spain have announced themselves, in a manner similar to the 4-1 evisceration over Russia that sparked their Euro 2008 win.
The only pity was that there were so few people here to see it, Spain’s grand showcase also highlighting one of the less serious but still significant problems of this World Cup. There was never any hint, however, that Luis Enrique’s team would suffer from one of the growing football issues of this World Cup.
Far from arriving undercooked - as group rivals Germany, Argentina and other big sides look - Spain have the sense of a team coming together.
And, yes, it was only Costa Rica. But Pedri is only 19. Gavi is only 18.
Spain score seven in World Cup annihilation of dismal Costa Rica
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica: Luis Enrique’s side take control of Group E, with Ferran Torres netting a brace and one each for Olmo, Asensio, Gavi, Soler and Morata
Leah Williamson interview: ‘Football is everyone’s game - the Qatar World Cup is wrong’
If leadership in football has looked short in recent days, Leah Williamson can help to provide an antidote. The England captain says the staging of the men’s World Cup in Qatar is “wrong” but wants to use her voice to highlight the discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in the host country, while promoting messages of inclusion and equality closer to home.
Armbands, and England’s decision not to follow through with their ‘OneLove’ stance following pressure from Fifa, has been the hot topic of the opening days of the World Cup. In July, Williamson proudly wore her rainbow armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights as the Lionesses won the Euros at Wembley. It was a victory that stood for more than football, celebrated in an environment that was inclusive and diverse.
“I think one of the biggest compliments I’ve had since the Euros is someone went to one of our games when they were afraid to go to a men’s game,” Williamson tells The Indepdendent. “I wouldn’t want anyone to feel like it wasn’t their game. We wanted to show that supporting England is an open invitation to be exactly who you want to be, because that’s what we do too.”
Leah Williamson interview: ‘Football is everyone’s game - this World Cup is wrong’
The England captain discusses inclusion in football and supporting the LGBTQ+ community through the Manchester Laces campaign
‘Best Switzerland national team that has ever existed’ ready for World Cup
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin believes his squad is well equipped to make history as they prepare for their opening match of the 2022 World Cup against Cameroon in Group G on Thursday.
The Swiss have not reached the quarter-finals since they hosted the tournament in 1954 but, having emerged undefeated through qualifying, Yakin has urged his side to make the most of what he considers an unprecedented opportunity.
“I think we are the best Switzerland national team that has ever existed – we have fantastic players who play abroad and I am convinced we will perform our best World Cup ever,” said Yakin.
‘Best Switzerland national team that has ever existed’ ready for World Cup
The Swiss have not reached the quarter-finals since they hosted the tournament in 1954
Pedri and Gavi combination marks out Spain’s strength as World Cup challengers
A fired volley wide by Dani Olmo. Another chance over the top of the defence with Ferran Torres in attendance. Marco Asensio scuffing wide and then Olmo, again, finally beating the ‘keeper after a magical first touch over the final centre-back.
This was all Spain, all one-way football and all through the incredibly talented creative duo of Gavi and Pedri in midfield. And all inside the opening 10 minutes, too.
The young Barcelona pair were utterly dominant and relentless in the first half-hour of the match, creating openings and shooting chances at will and contributing in very direct ways to Luis Enrique’s side going three goals up in that time.
Above perhaps all other games so far at the World Cup 2022, this scoreline, this performance, will be discounted by the quality - or lack thereof - of opposition. Costa Rica offered nothing: no aggression high upfield, no capacity to get close in midfield and nowhere near enough of a compact defence to stop the red waves coming. The eventual 7-0 scoreline was justice, entirely.
And yet, even if this was a glorified training session after Asensio’s finish and Ferran from the spot, it highlighted exactly what Spain will try to do against all opponents, in all situations.
Pedri and Gavi combination marks out Spain’s strength as World Cup challengers
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica: The game was done after half an hour with the young midfield pair central to much of the best work, before Gavi wrote his name into the history books with a goal
Spain vs Costa Rica player ratings: Gavi and Pedri pull strings in scintillating Qatar World Cup win
Spain began their Qatar World Cup campaign with a mesmerising 7-0 win against Costa Rica on Wednesday.
After Germany’s shock loss to Japan elsewhere in Group E earlier in the day, this game marked a great chance for Luis Enrique’s side to establish themselves as frontrunners in the pool.
And Spain certainly seized the initiative, downing Costa Rica with ease thanks to goals from Dani Olmo, Marcos Asensio, Gavi, Carlos Soler, Alvaro Morata and Ferran Torres – the latter scoring twice.
It was a superb all-round performance from the 2010 champions, who will be incredibly confident ahead of their next group game, against Germany on Sunday.
Here’s how Spain’s players fared against Costa Rica.:
Spain vs Costa Rica player ratings: Gavi and Pedri pull strings in scintillating win
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica: The teenage playmakers were central to a number of their team’s many fine moves
Full-time: Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
90+8 mins: A destructive, dominant and delightful display from Spain sees them thrash Costa Rica 7-0 and gives Luis Enrique’s side firm control of Group E.
They move to the top of the table, just ahead of Japan, and will qualify for the last 16 if they defeat Germany at the weekend. Costa Rica have lots of work to do but their next match is against Japan and they’ll believe they can get something out of that game.
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
90+5 mins: Spain have outdone England tonight. The Three Lions managed six goals in their opening fixture against Iran but even then they conceded twice.
Spain have cruised to seven with Costa Rica not even getting close to a shot on target.
GOAL! Spain 7-0 Costa Rica (Morata, 90+2)⚽️
90+2 mins: Seven!
Alvaro Morata hovers around the front edge of the penalty area and receives the ball as it gets squared across from the right. He lays it off to Dani Olmo before spinning away from the nearest centre-back and getting the ball passed back to him.
It’s a lovely one-two and Morata caps off the move with a fine finish into the bottom left corner.
Spain 6-0 Costa Rica
90+1 mins: There’s also eight minutes of added time to play. Plenty of time for more goals here.
GOAL! Spain 6-0 Costa Rica (Soler, 90’)⚽️
90 mins: Spain hit six!
Gavi sends it out to Williams on the right wing. He carries the ball into space and curls a teasing low cross into the box. Keylor Navas decides he has to come for the ball but only manages to palm it into the path of Carlos Soler.
Soler takes a touch and then guides a tap-in over the line.
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