Kevin De Bruyne threw his hands up in disgust as another pass went astray. Eden Hazard was easily knocked off the ball. Michy Batshuayi was hauled off by his angry coach after a lazy flick to no one at all. (More Football News | Results )
Belgium didn바카라™t live up to the hype of being the second-ranked team despite starting the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Canada on Wednesday.
Thibaut Courtois saved an early penalty and Batshuayi scored the only goal at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to spoil the North American team바카라™s return to the tournament after 36 years.
Aside from the result, there was little for the Belgians to celebrate, with De Bruyne 바카라” one of the world바카라™s best players 바카라” mocking the decision to name him player of the match.
바카라śNo, I don바카라™t think I played a great game,바카라ť a miserable-looking De Bruyne said after being told of his award. 바카라śI don바카라™t know why I got the trophy 바카라” maybe it바카라™s because of my name.바카라ť
Belgium바카라™s aging team was outplayed at times by Canada, which has yet to collect a point or even score a goal in four World Cup matches 바카라” including the three games from its debut in 1986.
This should have been the game the Canadians broke that run. Alphonso Davies, the star of Canada바카라™s team, squandered the best chance when his penalty was blocked by Courtois, one of 21 shots taken compared to Belgium바카라™s nine.
바카라śThey showed tonight they do belong here,바카라ť Canada coach John Herdman said of his players.
One moment of class in the 44th minute wound up deciding the game. It wasn바카라™t from one of De Bruyne바카라™s brilliant through-balls or Hazard바카라™s mazy dribbles, but instead a simple long ball over the top of Canada바카라™s defense by center back Toby Alderweireld.
It split the defense and Batshuayi ran through, letting the ball bounce twice before guiding a left-footed finish into the far corner.
바카라śDelighted that, without being ourselves, we won the game,바카라ť Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said.
Martinez said it was his team바카라™s worst performance on a technical level since he took charge more than six years ago.
바카라śBut was it the worst game?바카라ť he added. 바카라śNo. Because it바카라™s a win.바카라ť
There were six players in their 30s in Belgium바카라™s starting lineup, four of them having accrued more than 100 international appearances. Courtois and De Bruyne might reach three figures at this World Cup, in what looks like being a last hurrah for this group of players often described as a 바카라śgolden generation.바카라ť
The absence of Romelu Lukaku 바카라” a prolific scorer and big presence up front 바카라” is a huge blow to Martinez, with Batshuayi failing to impress as his backup aside from his well-taken goal.
Lukaku, who has a left thigh injury, could potentially miss the entire group stage.
With De Bruyne바카라™s passing unusually poor, all the best moves came from a mobile and attacking Canada team in front of their loud, Maple Leaf-waving fans.
Davies stood out with his driving runs from left back but ruined his performance with his failure from the spot. Herdman had no complaints about Davies taking the kick, even though Jonathan David typically takes them for French club Lille.
바카라śIt바카라™s a big moment for any player. You are carrying the weight of a nation,바카라ť Herdman said. 바카라śWhen you have an $85 million player, let him pick the ball up and take it.바카라ť
Canada had 14 shots in the first half alone, the most by a team at the World Cup without scoring in 16 years.
