[골닷컴, 카타르 알 라이얀] Reporter Kim Hyeong-joong = Belgium, second in the FIFA rankings, defeated Canada to win the first match of the World Cup.
Belgium won 1-0 against Canada in the first leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Group F qualifier held at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, near Doha, Qatar from 4:00 am (Korean time) on the 24th. Mickey Batshuayi’s opening goal at the end of the first half became the winning goal, earning 3 points in the first leg of the group stage.
Belgian coach Roberto Martinez used a 3-4-3 formation. Courtoux and Goalkeeper Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Dendoncker, Witzel, De Bruyne, Carrasco, Castagne, Hazard, Batshuayi and Thielemans came out first. Canada is also 3-4-3. Borian Goalkeeper, Miller, Vittoria, Johnston, Lariera, Eustaquio, Hutchinson, Hoillet, Alfonso Davies, Buchanan and Jonathan David started.
Less than a minute after the start of the game, Batshuayi shot a shot due to a pass miss by the Canadian defense, but headed straight to the goalkeeper. After that, Canada came out aggressively. In the 7th minute of the first half, Buchanan’s right-footed shot hit Carrasco’s arm. The referee declared a penalty after VAR. Alfonso Davies kicked but was caught in a save with Courtou. Junior Hoillet in the 15th minute and Johnston in the 29th minute failed. Belgium also fought back. In the 44th minute of the first half, Batshuayi stumbled and shot a long ball from behind, leading to the opening goal. The first half ended with Belgium leading 1-0.
The second half was also tight. Canada was busy attacking for the equalizer, and Belgium did not back down and launched a sharp attack. Canada had a decisive chance in the 34th minute of the second half. Cy Larin, who replaced a cross from the right, attempted a no-mark header shot, but Courtois blocked it. Canada was disappointed with its last-minute decision. Belgium also fought back. In the 40th minute of the second half, Dendoncker’s header missed the goal.
Canada ran for the equalizer until the end. But the last one didn’t come out. The match ended in a 1-0 victory for Belgium.