Michy Batshuayi ensured Belgium got off to a winning start at the Qatar World Cup by scoring the only goal in a narrow 1-0 victory over Canada on Wednesday.
At the end of a half dominated by their opponents, Roberto Martinez’s side took the lead against the run of play when Batshuayi latched onto a pass from Toby Alderweireld and smashed the ball home from close range.
It was a huge blow for Canada, who had failed to open the scoring themselves when Thibaut Courtois kept out Alphonso Davies from the penalty spot early on, and in the end they failed to find an all-important equaliser.
The North American side can still be proud of their first-half display, however, while Belgium have work to do if they want to go far in the tournament. Here’s how Sportsmail‘s GERRY COX rated both sets of players in Al Rayyan.
Belgium picked up a 1-0 win over Canada in their opening World Cup fixture on Wednesday
Belgium (3-4-3)
Thibaut Courtois Canada’s wasteful finishing meant he did not have to make too many saves, but they all counted including a penalty save in the 10th minute and excellent stops from Johnston and Larin. 9
Leander Dendoncker Rarely looked comfortable against Canada’s pacy forwards and hustled into mistakes. Headed over a De Bruyne free-kick in the closing stages. 6
Toby Alderweireld Superb long pass forward set up Batshuayi for the opener. Had to be on his toes with David always a handful, but his experience showed 7
Jan Vertonghen Given a torrid time in the early stages, but became his usual composed self and made some important interceptions 7
Thibaut Courtois had to rescue Belgium with a few important saves in between the sticks
Timothy Castagne Started wide on the right and then switched to the left in the second-half, but rarely got into the game. A peripheral figure. 6
Axel Witsel Never looked completely comfortable at the base of midfield, and gave the ball away too often. Not at his best 6
Youri Tielemans Surprisingly below par performance from the Leicester midfielder and no surprise that he was replaced at half-time 6
Yannick Carrasco Conceded early penalty and booked for handball, never really got going and replaced by Meunier at half-time. 6
Eden Hazard Good when he was on the ball, but it was not often enough. Still has the ability to go post players, but it looks like injuries have cost him some of his pace. Replaced on 62 minutes 7
Kevin De Bruyne Some lovely driving runs from deep but too often the final pass or shot came to nothing. Floated in one perfect cross that Batshuayi failed to control 7
Michy Batshuayi The matchwinner, and took his goal superbly with a first-time finish, but otherwise wasteful, failing to make the most of several chances. Not as effective as Lukaku. 7
Youri Tielemans produced a surprisingly below-par performance in the middle of the park
Michy Batshuayi took his winning goal superbly at the end of a difficult first half for Belgium
Substitutes
Thomas Meunier for Carrasco 46 Booked for catching Hoilett with an outstretched arm. 6
Amadou Onana for Tielemans 46 Also booked within ten minutes for using an arm on Eustaquio. 6
Leandro Trossard for Hazard 62 Had one late chance but overran the ball. 6
Lois Openda for Batshuayi 78 Had one half-chance in the closing stages 6
Canada (3-4-2-1)
Milan Borjan Had no chance with Batshuyi’s goal, and did not have to make any other saves o note. Slight danger of overplaying the ball with his feet at times. 7
Richie Laryea Strong at right wing back, creating four good chances, and one superb tackle to stop Batshuayi in his tracks. 8
Richie Laryea (left) produced a strong display at right-back for Canada on the night
Kamal Miller Brilliant block to deny Batshuyi in the first-half, great tackle on the same player midway through the second-half 7
Steven Vitoria The veteran centre-back kept Batshuayi quiet for most of the game, a commanding presence. 7
Alistair Johnston Had one stinging shot well saved by Courtois, then overhit a free-kick wastefully. Always keen to get forward from right back. Booked 7
Alphonso Davies Superb on the ball, but could have made all the difference if his weak penalty had gone in. Switched from left wing to right after an hour, but gave the ball away too often. Booked 7
Stephen Eustaquio Always lively, nutmegged De Bruyne before crossing for a golden chance missed by David 8
Atiba Hutchinson The Besitkas man kept midfield ticking over and got forward at times. Replaced by Kaye on the hour mark. 6
Alphonso Davies had a great game but was left to rue his costly first-half penalty miss
It was a weak effort from Davies, who could have fired Canada into an early lead in the game
Stephen Eustaquio was always lively during a spirited performance from the beaten side
Tajon Buchanan His goalbound shot was handled by Carrasco for the penalty. Otherwise wasteful, with one shot going high into the stands. 6
Junior Hoilett Never stopped running and hustling, and opened up the Belgian defence repeatedly, but his final decision-making was questionable. Replaced by Larin. 7
Jonathan David Caused Belgium’s defence problems with his pace but missed the target when it mattered, putting headers high and wide either side of the break 6
Substitutes
Cyle Larin for Hoilett 58 Had one header saved and put another over in the closing minutes 6
Ismael Kone for Hutchinson 58 Sent on to shadow De Bruyne 6
Sam Adekugbe for Laryea 72 Saw out the game at left-back 6
Jonathan Osorio for Eustaquio 81 Sent on as fresh legs in midfield 6
Liam Millar for Buchanan 81 Little impact from the former Liverpool trainee 6
Referee: Janny Sikazwe (Zambia) Let the game flow but needed VAR to spot the handball for Canada’s penalty 6