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:
Belgium vs Canada
Coming up after the conclusion of this game is the final match of the day when Belgium take on Canada in Group F.
Team news has just dropped so here’s a look at how they both line-up:
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
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
83 mins: Superb Spain running riot against Costa Rica.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
80 mins: 10 minutes plus how ever long the officials decide to add on for stoppage time to play.
Rodri slides a through ball up to Koke who spins before playing Morata into the right side of the box. The forward has a shy at goal but doesn’t catch it right and hooks his effort out of play.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
77 mins: This has been a training game for Spain. They haven’t been asked any questions and every time they moved forward with any type of quality the end result has been a goal or a shot.
There’s a bit of a barney between Kendall Waston and Gavi in the middle of the pitch and the referee calls both men over for a chat. He tells them to calm it down.
GOAL! Spain 5-0 Costa Rica (Gavi, 74’)⚽️
74 mins: Gavi joins the fun! Balde goes on a driving run through the inside left channel and slips a pass into the box for Alvaro Morata who stays onside. He’s forced over to the left side of the box but holds up the ball before flicking it over to the arriving teenager.
Gavi pops up in the box after a run from deep, he meets the ball on the volley and pokes it onto the inside of the right post where the ball deflects into the back of the net.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
72 mins: 28-year-old Iñaki Williams Arthuer now replaces Marco Asensio up in the forward line. He’s started out wide on the right with Morata taking the central forward role.
Spain kick forward on the break with Luis Enrique encouraging them forward from the touchline - he certainly wants more goals. However, the attack breaks down on the edge of the box and Costa Rica scramble it clear.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
69 mins: Spain have scored four or more goals in a World Cup match for just the fourth time having last done so in a 4-0 victory against Ukraine in 2006.
Is this a sign of things to come? The 2010 champions will be eyeing another good run in this tournament after two poor campaigns in 2014 and 2018.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
66 mins: Spain’s centre-back pair of Aymeric Laporte and Rodri are pushing up to the halfway line with they are in possession. It’s like watching Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at times.
This has been one of the most one-sided affairs of the tournament so far.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
63 mins: Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are the two men taken off in order for Balde and Koke to come on. Both men will play crucial roles for Spain’s next match against the Germans - who have to win - so they’re given a rest for the final half an hour or so.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
60 mins: Alejandro Balde and Koke are ready to come for Spain as well.
This game is now a matter of how many they want to score. With Germany still to come in the group qualification may come down to goal difference so Luis Enrique will be encouraging his players to keep attacking.
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