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Belgium v Canada: World Cup 2022 – live | World Cup 2022

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Key events

82 min: For those who track such things, Canada has outshot Belgium 20-5. They have, however, only put three on target. None better than the last one, even including the penalty.

80 min: WHAT A SAVE BY COURTOIS. The cross from Johnston is right on Larin’s head, and the striker redirects it to the far post, only to see the outstanding Belgian keeper leap to his right and snare it with both hands.

Last roll of the dice: Osorio and Millar replace Buchanan and Eustáquio. The latter is an unfortunate loss.

And now Davies has a yellow card. A bit … yeah, I’m not a fan of this ref.

78 min: Batsuayi, the goal scorer who played in Lukaku’s usual spot today, is departing. Openda is in.

Kari Tulinius: “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen center-back Steven de Souza Vitoria play before, but I’ve already taken a liking to him. He’s on the field to keep the ball far away from his goal and if that means launching the ball towards Saturn, then so be it. But he’s also got proper route one passes in his locker and isn’t afraid to try his luck.”

Andrew Benton corrects my spelling on Trossard and adds: “I hope Canada are not deflating. They need as much flate as they can get in this match.”

I would say I’m not overwhelmed by Belgium’s performance here. At best, I’m whelmed.

76 min: Ball is knocked away from Larin in the box.

Buchanan appears to have taken a knock.

Peter Oh writes to mention that, when it comes to Bermuda, we should watch for their passing triangles. Well played.

73 min: Long ball ahead to Larin, but Courtois is alert.

Ken Clare: “Don’t you wish that Canadians would stop writing to explain Canada to you? Makes us all look like we all live in Alberta.”

I always enjoy seeing provincial curling championship broadcasts with so many ads for farm equipment.

Sam Adekugbe comes in for Canada, replacing Laryea, and Fox’s Cobi Jones (longtime US international) runs through a list of likely tactical changes that ensues.

71 min: I’m trying to get through all the emails to distract myself from the increasing likelihood that this young, excellent Canadian squad isn’t going to get the result they richly deserve.

Michael Goulborn: “I’m not really a footie fan, but completely absorbed (from Bermuda) by your fantastic commentary. When I should be doing some work….. Keep up the good work!”

Bermuda, the next CONCACAF power?

Keith Barrett: “On the incident in the 13th minute: the BBC coverage focused on this at half-time. The ball came off a Belgian defender and so wasn’t offside. However, what followed was not a foul either: the Belgian defender made a clean tackle, with the replay showing that he won the ball, before the Canadian attacker subsequently hit the deck. So the ultimate decision (no penalty) was correct.”

Yeah, but the English think everything is a clean tackle. (Except for the fine folks at The Guardian.)

Peter Oh: “Thanks for the hockey reference. I would love to see a Canada shot beat Courtois five-hole.”

(That’s a nutmeg, in soccer terms. Through the legs.)

Justin Madson: “In response to Steve’s pedantry about the Jordan Rule, I also came across Jordan’s Rule, which states “given any species in any region, the nearest related species is not likely to be found in the same region nor in a remote region, but in a neighbouring district separated from the first by a barrier of some sort”. I feel this gives us some insight as to why the referee seems to be different than the others calling matches so far, because he apparently is watching a different game than everyone else. On a separate note, to your credit “superstar” calls in the NBA are alive and well, thanks to officiating acting as PR in that league. As everything is about PR with this World Cup, one might wonder…”

OK then …

68 min: Belgium attacking now, to the point that Canada almost has a counter.

You have to wonder if Canada is already starting to deflate. Brutally unlucky not to be up or at least tied at this stage.

67 min: A terrific chance for Belgium, but it’s another heroic interception by a player who isn’t identified because Fox is busy giving an update on some Harry Kane dude.

It was Canada’s Richie Laryea that slid in to thwart Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images

67 min: Richard hirst: “Left bank brings to mind an existentialist with a Gaulloises and a Ricard. Maybe that’s Belgium’s problem!”

Counter to Belgium, but a timely interception keeps De Bruyne from going to the races.

Immediately back the other end, and Laryea sends a shot well wide.

65 min: Corner comes to nothing, and Dendoncker cynically grabs Buchanan to prevent a counter.

Peter Littley: “Think the Canadian players have worked out if you fall down this referee will give the foul.”

That, and the Belgian subs are playing a tad negatively.

Tossard, though, shows some class right away with a backheel that splits two defenders and ends up cleared for a corner.

63 min: Looks like the referee correctly played advantage after a badly mistimed tackle, and Canada gets a shot out of it. Unfortunately, it’s to the misfiring Buchanan, whose shot will shortly land in the Persian Gulf.

61 min: We have to be fair here – Belgium is, obviously, full of talented players, and Eden Hazard just made a nifty move to keep an attack going on the sideline.

Then Belgium promptly loses the ball, and it’s all Canada again.

And Hazard will come off … Leandro Tossard is in.

60 min: Meunier, the masked man already on a yellow, commits a needless foul. Free kick 30 yards out, and Eustáquio sends it too far to the far post.

On colleges and universities …

JF Crepault: “Please tell Alison Curtis that her terminology comment is irrelevant as Tajon Buchanan attended *college* in the US :)“

Michael Platt: “Can’t speak for Vancouver but here at the University of Calgary, there is not a seat to be had in any of the student venues showing the game. Absolutely packed.”

58 min: Canadian subs …

Prolific scorer Cyle Larin replaces Hoilett.

Ismaël Koné, age 20, replaces Atiba Hutchinson, age 39.

56 min: YELLOW to Onana for reaching an arm back to swat Eustáquio in the face. So both Belgian subs already have cautions.

Amadou Onana of Belgium catches Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio in the face.
Amadou Onana of Belgium catches Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio in the face. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

55 min: Pressure wins a Canadian corner, perhaps wrongly so. It comes to nothing.

Padraig McAuliffe writes: “Sad to see Carrasco given the hook. His decade-long stint as a Belgium left-bank has been an inspiring battle against imposter syndrome that we can all take heart from.”

I’m assuming that should be “left-back.” Or not. What was his last transfer fee?

53 min: Yellow card to Meunier for a wayward arm to a face. It’s as if the Belgian subs were sent in like ice hockey enforcers.

Canada's Junior Hoilett reacts as referee Janny Sikazwe prepares to shown a yellow card to Belgium's Thomas Meunier.
Canada’s Junior Hoilett reacts as referee Janny Sikazwe prepares to shown a yellow card to Belgium’s Thomas Meunier. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

Yes, that’s my second ice hockey reference today, but we are talking about Canada here.

Now attempting to curl in the free kick, but it’s through the house without any sweeping.

51 min: The Canadian press is back in full effect, and Courtois has two moments in which he needs to be very careful with his footwork as the ball is passed back to him.

That brings the crowd back into it.

Steve Kochar writes: “Hey Beau, thanks for doing a great job with the MBM today! Just a note from back in minute 28… The “Jordan Rules” was actually the name for the Detroit Pistons strategy for defending Jordan, when and where to send a double team, that sort of thing. He did get all the calls as well of course but that’s just how the NBA works 🙂 Sorry for the pedantry but that’s what the MBM is for right!”

I think it referred to both the Pistons strategy and the NBA officiating, but I won’t have a chance to look it up at this time while I’m watching Canada squander more chances.

16-4 edge for Canada in attempts at goal.

48 min: CHANCE on a long cross from the superb Eustáquio. David puts his shot just wide.

47 min: The atmosphere died at the half. It’s virtually silent.

Thomas Meunier has replaced Yannick Carrasco.

Amadou Onana has replaced Youri Tielemans, and he immediately commits a silly foul that draws a stern lecture from our referee.

Emails, emails …

Adam Paige: “I wish more broadcasters would use the Elo rather than Fifa ranking since it’s more predictive (Belgium & Canada are 6th & 29th in Elo but 2nd & 41st in Fifa).”

Fair point.

Michelle Peters-Jones: “The weather is lovely here, thank you. Not too cold, at least not as cold as the time the Canadian team played in the Commonwealth Stadium here and we had a lovely snow dive from Sam (Adekugbe). We also had a fun time cheering for our hometown hero, Alphonso (Davies). We even named a train station after him (not really, but one can dream). So hopefully we can beat them aging Belgians.”

I forgot to mention that I’m actually a curler. And yet my cold tolerance is minimal, having grown up in Georgia.

Julian Menz: “A friend of mine is in downtown Vancouver, and reports that there was nary a fan or flag to be seen. It’s early(ish) I know, but most countries would be absolutely COOKING by now! Would it help if it was the Stanley World Cup?”

Stephen Carr: “Evening Beau. Not sure Martinez has what it takes to get a tune out of this team. He is, after all, the man who declared Tom Cleverley to be the ‘most sensational free transfer in the history of the Premier League’ when he signed him for Everton…..”

Martinez is a good TV commentator. Wondering if he should go back to that job.

Alison Curtis: “In Canada we don’t call universities “colleges”. Please get your terminology right.”

Well, that spoils the John Belushi “COLLEGE” T-shirt.

Richard Hirst: “What this game lends itself to is an analysis of the linguistic fissures within the teams. On the one hand Flemish/French/German(yes, a little known part of Belgium) and on the other English/French. Maybe at half time?”

Que?

Matthew Carpenter-Arevalo: “I’m pretty sure that in the Disney retelling of Canada’s world cup run, the coach, played by Robbie Williams, will say to the team in a motivational speech “we’re going to play hockey, but on a pitch!””

I’m picturing an exceptionally polite Ted Lasso.

Matt Dony: “In lieu of any goals, I offer the following – Mentioning the great Sarah McLachlan, I recently discovered that Angel was written about Jonathan Melvoin, who died following an overdose while playing keyboards on tour for the Smashing Pumpkins. The quintessential funeral song, ubiquitous in emotional X-Factor auditions, was inspired, not by a close relative or dear friend, but by a news report of a relatively obscure touring musician passing away on the other side of the world. Now I’m aware of this fact, I’m sharing it far and wide.”

It’s a fairly well-known story – though I say that as a McLachlan and Pumpkins fan – but worth repeating.

Joseph Harvey: “College soccer is pretty bad but it is good preparation for playing with awful referees who are apparently on hard drugs.”

Good point.

Owen Harris uses a bad word on the 39th minute no-call.

Karim Hadhoum: “Canada, coming from behind is a la vogue. So take heart.”

What’s really unfair here is knowing that Canada is absolutely capable of shifting gears. Given a 1-0 lead, Canada could’ve slammed the door.

And from Gorazd: “I’m surprised not much is being said about the situation in the 13th minute, when Canada was robbed. There was absolutely no offside, as the ball was passed back by Hazard. So the flag should never have been raised by the assistant, even worse was that the referee did not ignore it, as he saw everything play out. And then to make matters even worse, VAR did not intervene on what was a clear and obvious error by the referee and very likely a subsequent penalty for Canada. The first major refereeing error at the World Cup.”

Fox Sports went over it in some detail at the half, at least.

More complaining later. Game has restarted.

Revisiting an earlier play – Buchanan was called offside when Belgium clearly passed the ball back to Vertonghen, who then fouls Buchanan.

So Buchanan should not have been called offside.

So Buchanan should’ve earned a penalty.

VAR apparently looked and … saw something different.

That’s shocking in the VAR era. Shocking.

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HALFTIME: Belgium 1-0 Canada

That’s the most dominant half of play by a non-Mexican CONCACAF team since 2014, and they’re down 1-0. Go figure.

Belgium scored on its one solid chance. Canada squandered a penalty and a couple more chances, and give the old-timers in Belgium’s defense some credit for scrambling to block a bunch of shots.

45 +4 min: A Canadian corner kick is deflected out to Eustáquio at the top of the box, and I pity whoever blocked that screamer. Looks like Tielemans. It hit his arms, but he had them tucked in front of his chest to prevent being leveled. Can’t blame him there. That’s Belgium’s sixth blocked shot.

45 +2 min: CHANCE and it was easier for Buchanan to score than to NOT score, but he did the latter. Perfect ball in from Laryea. Buchanan pressured but with a chance to strike from six yards out, and he skies it over the ball.

Er … bar.

45 +1 min: As predicted, five minutes of stoppage time.

GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Canada (Batshuayi 44)

“Against the run of play” is hardly sufficient.

A direct ball, maybe 60 yards in the air straight up the field from Toby Alderweireld, lands at the feet of Michy Batshuayi, whose first touch is a fine finish.

Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi fires home the opening goal.
Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi shoots … Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi fires home the opening goal.
And scores. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
Belgium's Michy Batshuayi celebrates scoring their first goal.
Batshuayi celebrates … Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
Milan Borjan of Canada reacts after conceding a goal to Michy Batshuayi of Belgium.
Whilst Canada’s keeper Milan Borjan rues conceding. Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

42 min: Belgium lofts a ball far ahead … for no one. They’ve been forced to play dump-and-chase like an aging and unskilled ice hockey team.

But you just sense that if they can hold on another few minutes, they can regroup and turn it around.

Given the stoppage time we’ve seen at this Cup, I’d expect no less than five minutes for the VAR checks.

40 min: Hutchinson and Hazard get tangled. That’s a combined 70 years on this planet right there. Foul goes against Hutchinson, rightly so.

39 min: Mark Clattenburg, Fox’s rules analyst, says the defender slowed down just enough to avoid being called here. And the VAR crew agrees. Ah well.

38 min: How is that not a penalty? Witsel bundles over Laryea from behind. He could call the push or the trip. He calls neither.

Again, I’m loathe to criticize referees, but this is a shambles.

Hold up .. VAR is looking!

Canada's Richie Laryea goes to ground after a challenge from Belgium’s Axel Witsel.
Canada’s Richie Laryea goes to ground after a challenge from Belgium’s Axel Witsel. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters

36 min: Canada slows it down for a bit. Davies then slips through the middle, but the possession goes nowhere.

35 min: Are we in Toronto?

“This is our house!” chant-clap the Canada supporters behind Milan Borjan’s goal

— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) November 23, 2022

32 min: Hoilett easily and cleanly wins a battle with Hazard, then pops the ball into the box for David, whose header doesn’t quite trouble anyone.

31 min: Oh, but the youth shows sometimes! Eustáquio creates a chance for David, who easily could’ve sent it to a teammate rushing down the right, but he shoots instead.

Canada has outshot Belgium 11-2.

11-2!

30 min: Johnston gets into the box with the ball. He falls. No call, probably reasonably so. But the ball comes back to him, and his shot stings Courtois’ gloves.

Canada truly deserve a goal here. They’ve taken it to an accomplished team.

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