Canada drops World Cup opener to Belgium

Despite a valiant effort, Canada dropped its first match at the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday.

Appearing in soccer’s premier tournament for the first time in 36 years, Canada fell 1-0 to Belgium.

The Belgians were No. 2 in the latest FIFA rankings, while was Canada was No. 41.

Canada is appearing in the World Cup for the first time since 1986. That year, the Canadians lost their three group stage matches and were shut out in all three.

Canada held a statistical advantage in many areas in the first half Wednesday, but not on the scoreboard. Michy Batshuayi scored in the 44th minute to give the Belgians a 1-0 lead that they took into the break.

The Canadians could have taken the lead in the eighth minute, but an Alphonso Davies penalty was stopped by Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Canada had 14 shots in the first half, its most in a World Cup match ever. Only two of those efforts were on target, but Courtois stopped both tries.

The Canadians couldn’t get the equalizer in the second half despite seven more shots, only one of which was on net.

The Belgians finished with nine shots, including three on goal.

Canada’s next match is against 12th-ranked Croatia on Sunday at 10 a.m. The Canadians wrap up the group stage Dec. 1 (9 a.m.) against 22nd-ranked Morocco.

Fans on the edge of their seats

There’s a lot of excitement among Canadian fans to see the men’s team at the World Cup.

Some fans needed to be in the stadium in Qatar cheering on the red and white, including superfan Lee Kormish from Saskatoon.

He’s in Qatar taking in the matches and says it’s surreal to know Canada is there.

“To see the Canadian flag here flying with the likes of Brazil and France and Germany, like we’re with them, we are with the best in the world and that’s phenomenal,” Kormish said.

The excitement is building on our home soil too as fans have been filing into pubs to watch.

“I’ve never been able to wear the red jersey really (before); it’s been blue for Italy or blue for France. So this is exciting to see Canada in it. I feel like it’s a pride for our country in the sport that I love at the highest level,” fan John Berzollo said Wednesday.

He also said he knew he’d get to see the men’s side play in the World Cup; he just didn’t know it would be this soon.

There’s optimism from many fans that Canada will get out of the group stage and into the knockout round.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Steve Seto