The 2018 finalists kick off their campaign with much of that nucleus of players still in tact, including the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric. Morocco are an interesting watch – the team of wing-backs with PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui. (Read More)
FIFA World Cup: Small margins result in Argentina’s defeat to Saudi Arabia
Argentina would curse two spells in the game. The five-minute span of madness between the 48th and 53th minutes when Saudi Arabia belted in the game-defining goals. And the 13-minute stretch from the 22nd and 35th when three ‘goals’ were adjudged offside. In a wicked sleight, those two passages embodied the best and worst of Argentina. One illustrates the casualness in possession as well as the fleeting propensity to panic when defending around the box; the other, offside goals though they were and justifiably so, demonstrated the silk and style they possess when everything clicks, an indication of the quality they possess to rebound and salvage their tournament. (Read More)
World Cup 2022: Saudi win over Messi’s Argentina gives every team hope that it can write a fairytale of its own
Jorge Valdano writes about football as eloquently as he played. Four years ago during the World Cup in Russia, the former Argentina playmaker, who is now one of football’s foremost philosophers, mused in his Guardian column about his love for the game. “We want calculations to be proven correct before the game has even started,” he wrote. “Big data and mathematical projections are making their way onto the field of play to tell us things I don’t want to know. We love football for its imprecision, its moments of genius and its mistakes.” (Read More)
Nowhere near convincing from the Red Devils, but they defended well once they went into the lead. Martinez's second half plan more or less killing Canada's edge.
The first half is what the Canadians will regret. They created 12 chances, and had a penalty, but could not put the ball into the net. The goal they conceded was avoidable too, a long ball over the top undoing them too easily.
A spirited performance that will be seen back with regret. Belgium were lucky not to concede in the first half, will need to be better to go deep in the tournament.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Short corner routine says De Bruyne get a chance at the byline, but the shot is ultimately tame.
Canada comitting bodies forward, now or never for them.
BEL 1-0 CAN
The ball broke to Larin in the box, and the experienced defender made a crucial challenge to keep the lead.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Great ball in by De Bruyne but Dendoncker does not find the connection he needs.
Moments later, De Bruyne takes it on himself, drives to the edge of the box and shoots wide.
BEL 1-0 CAN
The rapid striker was driving at defenders on the counterattack when he was cynically taken down. Deserved yellow.
Canada getting desperate now.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Freat ball from the right flank from Johnston is met by Larin, who sees his glancing header saved by Courtois. That was the best Canada have created this half.
BEL 1-0 CAN
They may be ahead but it has been an underwhelming opening game for Belgium.
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Brilliant run from Buchanan down the right sees the ball break to Larin in the box, but its cleared before he can get a shot away.
Belgium deeper as Canada look for the equaliser.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Both teams opening up and inviting pressure, Belgium look more threatening, but Canada creating higher volume of chances.
Story of the game so far, but with players like De Bruyne, Witsel, and Trossard, feels like the Red Devils could get the second.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Belgium forward was released by De Bruyne in a brilliant counter attack, and Kamal Miller's ast ditch sliding challenge was so good it had him celebrating.
Moments later, De Bruyne marshalls a transition and plays in Batshuayi again, who took to long and was blocked by Laryea.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Keeping the ball and slowing down Canada's rhythm. Martinez got his message across at half time, and his subsitutions have worked.
Canada's goal threat has significantly declined since the first half. They still have a route back in this game if they can press Belgium out of possession and improve their finishing.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Canada seeing the ball, but not making too many meaningful chances.
They need more composure on the ball, especially while goal attempts.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Vertonghen asked a bit much of his keeper, spraying an overhit pass into his feet. Great compsure to get out of the situation avoiding a bizarre error.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Canada pick up where they left off, Eustaquio and Buchanan with some brilliant work on the ball to fashion an opportunity. An inviting cross came into Courtois' area, but David's header was poor, and another chance went wide.
Moments later, Eustaquioset up a long ranger from the right, but dragged it wide. The threat is still there.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Canada were energetic and brilliant going forward in that half, but a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal has hurt them.
They don't deserve to be behind, but can they come out and produce similar football? Will Belgium be clinical and see this game out? The next 45 minutes will tell the story.
BEL 1-0 CAN
The story of the first half:
Belgium lead, despite being much the worse side.
The difference was Batshuayi taking the only clear chance that fell to them, while the Maple Leafs not only missed a penalty, but failed to convert any of their numerous opportunities.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Laryea creates a golden opportunity, getting a brilliant grounded cross into the box, but Buchanan skies it from point blank range.
Despite all their domination, Canada trail.
BEL 1-0 CAN
It is a long ball over the midfield that does Canada in. Their defence fails to deal with Alderweireld's ball as Batshuayi took it down and kept his cool to fire it home.
Against the run of play.
BEL 1-0 CAN
Laryea on the right, and Davies on the left, going on overlapping run after run and pushing Belgium deeper to create spaces for their forwards.
Belgium being made to look very ordinary at the moment.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Belgian fans' voices went for a minute there as Laryea took a tumble in the box and Canada appealed for a penalty.
The referee was not having it, and VAR agreed.
Canada will be kicking themselves if they don't get a lead for all their chances so far.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Canada are enjoying themselves.
Another chance breaks into the box, this time for David, whose deflected shot is saved by Courtois.
Shortly after, Hoilett finds the ball after brilliant work from Davies down the left, plays a ball into the box, and David's header goes over the bar.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Laryea penetrates the box down the right again, his cut back cleared by Castagne eventually.
The ball came back into the box again, but Canada scuff their chance.
Moments later, Johnston sees a strong dive parried by Courtois.
Brilliant attacking, positive play from the Canadians so far, they have had all the credible chances.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Lovely play from Canada down the other end, as a great bit of interplay finds Hutchinson at the edge of the box, whose shots goes wide.
End to end at the moment.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Canada are trying to squeeze possession out of Belgium, but they are left vulnerable when they lose it.
De Bruyne broke the line and found Hazard, and Laryea's recovery run spoiled the chance. A few moments later, Alderweireld's cross field diagonal nearly found Castagne.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Belgium make a meal of their first chance.
Hazard turned back the clock with a lovely touch and drive into the box, but put too much on his pass to Tielemans, who eventually found Batsuayi, who then skied it.
The subsequent corner is cleared with ease by Canada.
BEL 0-0 CAN
After a sustained period with the ball, Belgium slow Canada's strong start down, and begin to control, proceedings.
By no means convincing so far.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Canada have had 12 touches in Courtois' box already, while Belgium is yet to have one in Borjan's.
Telling stats.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Been all Canada so far. This time it is Hoilett who peels off Belgium's defence to get a sight at goal, seeing his grounded drive go by Courtois' far post.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Despite Davies' tame penalty miss, Canada have kept up the pressure. A couple of chances blocked in the box before the whistle goes for offside.
Nervy start for Belgium.
BEL 0-0 CAN
WHAT A SAVE!
One of the best in the world, Courtois dives to his right, guesses correctly, and Davies' follow-up effort is skied.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Penalty to the Canadians!
Buchanan's volley hit Carrasco's hand, albeit from close range. Deemed to be a yellow card offence.
Slow start from the Red Devils, as Canada pile pressure. Great play from Laryea down the right, whose well worked cross is cleared for a corner.
Buchanan sees a deflcted volley go into the hands of Courtois from the set piece.
Play stopped for VAR check for a hand ball.
BEL 0-0 CAN.
Loose from Laryea as he hands possession to Batsuuayi, his long ranger was comfrotably saved by Borjan.
Down the other end, Canada with some incisive possession in the box, and a dangerous cross cleared by Vertonghen.
Bright start.
BEL 0-0 CAN
Belgium's 'golden generation' prepare for their last chance for silverware as they open their campaign against Canada. How will they fare this month? Can Canada follow in Japan and Saudi Arabia's footsteps?
BEL 0-0 CAN.
After Japan's win over Germany today, and Saudi Arabia's win over Argentina yesterday, there is no reason for Canada to not fancy their chances to get one over Belgium here. Bayern Munich full back Alfonso Davies, playing further forward for his country, and Lille striker Jonathan David are their biggest stars.
Can they inspire another upset? Find out shortly, kick off imminent.
After the third-placed finish at Russia 2018, Roberto Martinez’s talented but ageing side has failed to reach the same heights since. It is a team that contains Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, among others. This year, they get their final chance. (READ MORE)
Per Sky Sports, Germany will not face FIFA disciplinary action for covering their mouths in a pre-match gesture at the World Cup.
Zambian Janny Sikazwe, who will take charge of the Belgium-Canada game, was in the limelight for all the wrong reasons at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, when he blew the final whistle in the Tunisia-Mali game after only 85 minutes. When the error was pointed out, the match resumed, only for Sikazwe to blow the final whistle again with around 17 seconds of normal time still left on the clock. Mali were leading 1-0 at that stage, and Tunisian players and coaching staff were left incensed. After about 25 minutes, Sikazwe, who officiated at the 2018 World Cup as well, returned to complete three more minutes, but the Tunisians refused to play. It later came to light that the referee suffered a heat stroke, which contributed to the errors.
Cushioning a floated pass with a deft first touch, Takumi Asano skittered down the right flank. He cut into the six-yard box and saw the imposing German centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, all of six-feet-two inches, barging into him. But the five-foot-five winger out-barged him, regained the ball that had bobbled away from his feet, took a couple of yards and seconds to weigh in his options, gather his balance, and then fired in a guillotine shot past the near post of Manuel Neuer, the king of goalkeeping in this era. The 83rd-minute goal, which sparked wild celebrations among thousands of fans that had descended at the Khalifa Stadium, turned match-winner, wrapping up a famous upset win for Japan over Germany, one of the tournament favourites.(read more)
There is no truth to rumors that the Danish Football Association (DBU) is planning to leave FIFA following a storm over the “OneLove” armband, the association has told Reuters.
Media reports surfaced on Wednesday following a news conference that DBU president Jesper Moeller had said the FA was considering pulling out of the governing body for world football after Denmark and six other European teams were threatened with sporting sanctions if they wore the armband.(read more)
The move began with a pass from Kauro Mitoma, which clinically cut through Germany’s left channel, before ultimately finding Takumi Minamino. The AS Monaco player unleashed a shot, which appeared to be more of a cross, but Manuel Neuer was alert enough to parry it away. His save, however, went only as far as Ritsu Doan, who slotted the ball past the goalkeeper from six yards.
It was an incredible move in the 75th minute that stunned Germany, who were leading 1-0 to that point.(read more)
Spain absolutely demolished Costa Rica. The game looked like adults were playing under-16 side. Costa Rica just did not turn up. Their defending has been poor. Plenty of positives for Luis Enrique and his men.
SPA 7-0 CRA
Another one for Spain. All the nightmares the Costa Rican fans, players and the manager would have dreamt of last night are coming true here. This equals the biggest defeat for Costa Rica in their history.
SPA 7-0 CRA
Soler scores one for himself. Keylor Navaz looks in disarray. It has gone from bad to worse to embarrassing now. The defence was invisible. Spain just won't stop.
SPA 6-0 CRA
The evening result of Japan beating Germany set free the pigeons in the group. Spain with three points in their pocket is more or less assured to go through to the knockouts. Japan are second at the moment interesting times ahead.
SPA 5-0 CRA
Men against boys shouldn't be an apt description of a FIFA World Cup match, but it applied perfectly to Spain's demolition of Costa Rica. The Central Americans couldn't even get near the imperious Spaniards – it has to be remembered that it is a largely young squad with only Sergio Busquets as a World Cup winner among them – and were left chasing shadows on the pitch. Goals came almost too easily, and although it was not the toughest opening challenge for the 2010 champions, other title contenders better watch out. Germany's task, after the loss to Japan, just got a lot more daunting.
SPA 5-0 CRA