Highlights from Day 4 of the FIFA World Cup 2022 include Belgium’s 1-0 victory over Canada, Spain’s 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica, and Japan’s 2-1 upset of defending champion Germany in Group E. Morocco held 2018 runners-up Croatia to a scoreless draw earlier in the day.
- Morocco defeats Croatia 1-0 at Al Bayt Stadium
- At Khalifa International Stadium, Germany defeated Japan 1-2.
- Costa Rica loses against Spain 7-0 at Al Thumama Stadium
- Canada 1-0 Belgium
Belgium defeats Canada 1-0.
Belgium took advantage of Canada’s poor finishing to win their opening World Cup Group F game 1-0 on Wednesday courtesy of a Michy Batshuayi goal, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois displayed class in the process.
Alphonso Davies’ feeble opening penalty was saved by Courtois, who also made a few other excellent saves as Canada, making their first World Cup appearance since 1986, attempted to score their first goal.
An additional five minutes
Millar enters the area and attempts to cross back through the mass of Belgium defenders. Five minutes have been added to the time allotted.
Canada blows another opportunity to tie.
Oh great, another chance for Canada to strike a balance is squandered! Larin has space when the cross is delivered, but he misjudges his jump and misses the target with his header.
Johnston from Canada was ejected for a foul
Alistair Johnston glides past the newly-learned sub-Openda while raising his arm to catch him. Canada’s Alistair Johnston is shown a yellow card for a foul.
1-1 Belgium Canada
Shots are 20-5 in favor of Canada. Three of their targets have yet to be struck, though. Even with the penalty, none is superior to the previous one.
COURTOIS makes an incredible save.
COURTOIS pulls up a fantastic save to prevent Canada from tying the score. Larin successfully diverts a cross from Johnston to the far post, but the excellent Belgian goalkeeper leaps to his right and grabs the ball with both hands.
Belgium blows a chance to score a goal.
Before giving the ball to Batshuayi, Kevin De Bryune runs down the right wing, but Laryea makes a stunning block.
Make one modification, Belgium
In the 62nd minute, Leandro Trossard of Brighton replaces Real Madrid attacker Eden Hazard.
Replacement for Canada
Canada replaces two players. Larin and Kone replace Hoilett and Hutchinson.
1-1 Belgium Canada: Canada had a chance to tie but failed to do so
David receives a through pass from Eustaquio, but the striker is unable to find the goal. In the 48th minute, Canada is denied a chance to tie the score.
The Canadian vs. Belgian Second half kicks off live!
The second half of Belgium and Canada’s Group F match has started. Despite Canada’s missed opportunity to score first, Batshuayi ensured that Belgium went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
1-1 Belgium Canada: 5 additional minutes
In the extra period, both Canada and Belgium have had chances to score goals but have fallen short.
GOAL!
The first goal of the match is scored by Mitchy Batshuayi! Toby Alderweireld’s long ball finds the striker, who scores Belgium’s first goal. Against the flow of the game, the Red Devils are in the lead.
VAR review
VAR is being chanted by fans! VAR! Laryea collapses after driving at Witsel and sensing some contact. Before granting a goal kick, the referee takes some time to consider a penalty.
Canada has a chance
Johnston unleashes a strong effort from inside the area, forcing Courtois into action once more. In the first 30 minutes, Canada is in complete control of the proceedings.
Possible for Belgium
Tielemans receives a well-timed pass from Eden Hazard, and he finds Batshuayi in the box unguarded. The striker, though, is undone by a heavy touch, and a Canadian defender blocks his attempt.
Belgium rejected the opportunity
To everyone’s amazement, when Kevin De Bruyne runs through midfield, he chooses the incorrect pass and passes the ball to Carrasco rather than Tielemans.
Canada put Belgium under a lot of strain.
Courtois is forced to make a few stops in a flurry of opportunities as Canada keeps applying pressure to Belgium’s defense. Canada has made seven attempts in the opening 15 minutes.
By saving the penalty, Courtois!
Alphonso Davies is unable to score the first-ever World Cup goal for Canada. The huge Belgian adeptly saves the ball that the Bayern Munich fullback strikes toward the right side of the goal. a terrible punishment.
Courtois made history by stopping a penalty shot at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1966.