Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi (M) cheers after his goal to make it 1-0 Photo: picture alliance/dpa
From BZ/dpa
Belgium struggled to a flattering victory in their first game at the World Cup in Qatar. The 2018 World Cup bronze medalist around star player Kevin de Bruyne beat Canada 1-0 (1-0) on Wednesday evening at Al-Rajjan’s Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Ex-BVB striker Michy Batshuayi scored the goal of the game for the Red Devils shortly before half-time (44th minute).
The Canadians put on a good performance in their first World Cup game in 36 years, but didn’t reward themselves. Bayern pro Alphonso Davies started the game in front of 40,432 spectators for the North Americans, but missed a penalty in the tenth minute. The 22-year-old had cured his muscle fiber tear in time.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves Canada’s Alphonso Davies from the penalty spot Photo: picture alliance/dpa
Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier came on as a half-time substitute for Belgium.
In the first game of Group F, Croatia and Morocco had previously drawn 0-0.