Thibaut Courtois saved an early penalty and Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal to give Belgium a 1-0 win over Canada at the World Cup on Wednesday, spoiling the North American team’s return to the tournament after 36 years.

The Canadians have yet to collect a point or even score a goal in four World Cup matches, which includes the three games from their debut in 1986.

Still, they outplayed second-ranked Belgium at times at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, with Alphonso Davies — the star of Canada’s team — squandering the best chance when his penalty was blocked by Courtois.

With Eden Hazard ineffective and Kevin De Bruyne’s passing unusually awry, Belgium often relied on the long ball from the back and that tactic led to the 44th-minute goal. Center back Toby Alderweireld split the defense with his pass and Batshuayi ran through to guide a left-footed finish into the far corner.

Batshuayi was only playing because first-choice striker Romelu Lukaku was injured and could potentially miss the entire group stage.

Belgium vs Canada latest news

• GOAL! Batshuayi puts Red Devils ahead

• Alphonso Davies sees weak penalty saved

Belgium 1 - 0 Canada

Full match report

21:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

Michy Batshuayi’s stunning first-time finish secured Belgium all three points with a 1-0 win in their opening Group F match but they were fortunate to beat Canada.

The former Chelsea forward struck in the 44th minute after a long ball from ex-Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld.

The Maples Leafs should have been ahead by that point after dominating the first half and winning a penalty for a handball by Yannick Carrasco after Tajon Buchanan’s volley.

Read Nizaar Kinsella’s full match report here!

FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

20:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

Belgium see out a win against an impressive-looking Canada side to start their World Cup campaign off with three points.

Canadian waste

20:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

64:00 - 20 attempts from Canada, a tally they could surely have only dreamt about before the game.

At the moment, however, it counts for little.

Game management from Belgium

20:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

74:00 - Canada look to have run out of steam. Belgium are seeing this out.

20:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

Nizaar Kinsella at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

20:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

Belgium are beginning to control the game finally.

Roberto Martinez has used his substitutes well to edge back control but they are still not looking like tournament contenders on this showing.

Here comes Trossard

20:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

62:00 - Trossard, one of the Premier League’s best players this season, comes on for Hazard.

Feels like a changing of the guard, given Hazard’s pretty tepid display.

Canada slowing down

20:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

57:00 - Belgium, to their credit, have made things a bit tighter but Canada just aren’t creating as much in the second-half.

The game was there for the taking in the opening 45 minutes.

Nizaar Kinsella at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

20:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

Belgium’s two half-time substitutes are an admission that they have struggled. Thomas Meunier comes on for Yannick Carrasco - who gave away a penalty.

Youri Tielemans is off for Amadou Onana in a defensive substitution. Even still Canada are pushing for their equaliser in the second half.

CHANCE FOR BELGIUM

20:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

48:00 - David nods wide as Canada start the second-half on the front foot.

Belgium changes

20:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Back underway!

20:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

Away we go for the second-half.

The difference so far

20:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

A look at Davies’ penalty

19:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

HT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

19:55 , Jonathan Gorrie

Not particularly deserved for Belgium but it shows the importance of having a striker who can finish!

Nizaar Kinsella at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

19:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

A cruel reminder that football is about taking your chances. Michy Batshuayi with an impressive diving volley to open the scoring.

Canada don’t deserve that and might feel aggrieved after a penalty decision goes against them

GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Canada | Michy Batshuayi ‘43

19:46 , Jonathan Gorrie

43:00 - Heartbreak for Canada.

One long ball from Alderweireld splits the Maple Leafs open and Batshuayi holds off two defenders to score!

Belgium looking to give themselves a platform

19:44 , Jonathan Gorrie

41:00 - Belgium are now starting to knock the ball around nicely, albeit without creating much.

Still, it’s better than wave after wave of Canadian attack.

VAR call!

19:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

38:00 - VAR deny Canada a second penalty after Vertonghen brings Hoilett down.

Very risky from the veteran defender.

So impressive from Canada

19:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

32:00 - The veteran Hutchinson is breaking up play and starting attacks from deep, with Jonathan David getting a shot off pretty much every time Canada go forward.

A touch more composure and the Maple Leafs would be two or three goals up.

All a bit last ditch from Belgium

19:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

28:00 - When Canada attack down the flanks, Belgium retreat deep and have to put their bodies on the line in a series of last-ditch blocks.

This does not feel sustainable.

De Bruyne getting on the ball

19:27 , Jonathan Gorrie

24:00 - The Man City star is bossing the midfield battle now and almost played Hazard through, though Canada manage to recover.

CHANCE FOR BELGIUM

19:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

22:00 - Batshuyai sees his shot blocked by Miller after Hazard and Tielemans break behind the Canadian defence.

Wanted far too many touches there.

Nizaar Kinsella at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

19:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

Canada certainly have the beating of Belgium’s ageing golden generation so far in Doha. It has been a really positive start for the Maple Leafs despite wasting the penalty opportunity.

De Bruyne mistake

19:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

18:00 - Very rare you say that.

De Bruyne turns Hutchinson but choses the wrong pass, sending the ball into traffic instead of over to Tielemans, who was in acres of space.

Very creaky from Belgium

19:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

15:00 - The Red Devils’ veteran defenders can’t seem to keep up.

Hoilett, David and Buchanan are finding gaps at ease here.

MORE CANADA CHANCES

19:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

13:00 - David twice goes close from point-blank range by Courtois.

Belgium get lucky

19:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

13:00 - Canada have looked dangerous pretty much every time they’ve gone forward. Belgium are very lucky Davies’ penalty was so bad, or this could have been a nightmare start.

PENALTY MISSED!

19:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

09:00 - Davies’ spot-kick is SAVED by Courtois! Very tame effort

PENALTY TO CANADA

19:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

07:00 - Buchanan’s volley hit Carrasco’s arm! VAR awards a penalty!

CHANCE FOR CANADA

19:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

07:00 - Buchanan’s volley is deflected into Courtois hands.

Space for Belgium

19:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

06:00 - Canada’s defence has not looked convincing in the opening stages, albeit without Belgium creating much.

Certainly enough quality in their ranks, however, to change that.

Canada improving

19:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

04:00 - Davies and Johnston pressing very high up the field, causing problems to Belgium’s aging back three.

CHANCE FOR BELGIUM!

19:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

03:00 - Johnston’s weak back pass is intercepted by Batshuayi, who sees shot deflected but lands safely in the ‘keeper’s hands.

KICK-OFF

19:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

We’re underway!

Nizaar Kinsella at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

18:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

Again, we are 10 minutes before kick-off in a major World Cup game and the stadium is only about 75 percent full. There are some strange atmospheres in Qatar’s World Cup.

Nizaar Kinsella at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

18:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

Canada’s Atiba Hutchinson is the oldest World Cup debutant since England’s David James in 2010. He is 39-years-old so he was at least old enough (3!) to have maybe experienced his country’s last World Cup game.

Amazing story

18:43 , Jonathan Gorrie

Alphonso Davies has had quite the journey to the World Cup...

Nizaar Kinsella at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

18:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

Fun story about Belgium is they’ve hired former Chelsea yoga instructor Vinay Menon to work with the team alongside coach Anthony Barry.

Menon actually came at the recommendation of superstar forward Eden Hazard but manager Roberto Martinez made the call to bring him in.

Nizaar Kinsella at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

18:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

Canada fans look set to be the latest nation to outnumber their European rivals.

They look well up for this match and their return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Their native hero Drake is blaring on the PA system inside Ahmad Bin Ali Stadion.

Latest odds

18:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

Betfair - Belgium vs Canada

Belgium to win 4/7

Canada to win 5/1

Draw 16/5

Betfair - World Cup winner

Brazil 3/1

France 6/1

Spain 13/2

England 13/2

Argentina 17/2

Netherlands 11/1

Belgium 14/1

A changing landscape?

17:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

Canada are the new faces in town, appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Belgium, meanwhile, appear to be coming towards the end of a cycle, with many of their leading players well over 30.

Two teams on opposing trajectories.

Confirmed Canada lineup

17:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confirmed Belgium lineup

17:46 , Jonathan Gorrie

A look inside the dressing room

17:39 , Jonathan Gorrie

Roberto Martinez sends Canada message to Belgium squad

17:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

The Belgium boss insists he will not be taking Canada lightly...

How Jonathan David went from amateur prospect in Ottawa to a star targeted by Arsenal and Liverpool

17:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

If Lille are to spark an unlikely comeback against Chelsea in the Champions League, then you can bet Jonathan David will be at the heart of it.

David only turned professional four years ago, originally starting his career playing amateur football in Canada, but now the striker is one of Europe’s hottest properties ahead of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal, Liverpool and other Premier League clubs are tracking him, but there is interest from clubs in Italy and Spain too.

It underlines just how far David has come, who began his career playing amateur football in Ottawa.

Read Simon Collings’ full feature here!

Earlier in Group F

17:09 , Jonathan Gorrie

Morocco and Croatia played out an intriguing 0-0 draw as both nations started their World Cup campaigns.

A first half of few chances turned into a far more entertaining second as the 2018 finalists pushed for a late winner but failed to break down a stubborn and well-drilled Morocco.

Croatia will now turn their attentions to their game against Canada on Sunday, when Morocco will face Belgium.

Croatia’s best moments predictably hinged on Luka Modric, who was given the freedom of the park, floating effortlessly from back to front, with football’s traditional midfield roles seeming not to apply to Croatia’s captain.

Read our full match report here!

Curious case of Canada’s rise to global prominence wearing old kits

17:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

The rapid rise of the Canadian men’s national team is illustrated by the fact they will not even be wearing a new kit at their first World Cup since 1986.

Canada face Belgium in their Group F opener tonight and, led by Geordie coach John Herdman and Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, want to make some noise in Qatar.

But, unlike other teams at the tournament, the players will step out at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in old shirts.

When Canada Soccer and Nike signed a partnership in December 2018, the team was ranked 78th in the world and their prospects of qualifying for Qatar appeared slim.

Read the full story here!

Belgium ordered to remove ‘love’ message from World Cup away kit

16:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

Belgium have been told by FIFA to change their away shirt for the Qatar World Cup on the eve of the tournament as it contains the worl ‘love’.

That is according to Peter Bossaert, CEO of the Belgian Football Association, who says the team have been told to change their kit ahead of their opening game against Canada on Wednesday.

It comes in the wake of FIFA warning Belgium, England and five other European nations that their captains would be booked if they wore the ‘OneLove’, rainbow captain’s armband for their matches.

Belgium and the other nations have all agreed not to wear it after the threat of a booking for their skipper.

But now the Belgians must also change their away kit as it contains the word love and incorporates rainbow colours.

Canada World Cup 2022 guide: Star player, fixtures, squad, one to watch, odds to win

16:43 , Jonathan Gorrie

Canada will contest just the second World Cup finals in their history.

What the near novices lack in experience they hope will be offset by the star quality of the likes of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.

Here’s everything you need to know about Canada…

Belgium World Cup 2022 guide: Star player, fixtures, squad, one to watch, odds to win

16:37 , Jonathan Gorrie

Ranked second in the world and not without good reason, yet Belgium always seem on the brink of blowing their latest big chance.

Boss Martinez desperately needs Eden Hazard to find sharpness while Romelu Lukaku’s fitness is a big worry ahead of their World Cup opener.

Here’s everything you need to know about Belgium…

16:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Canada have such momentum heading into this one, it’s difficult to look past them against a Belgium team who’s best days are largely behind them.

Canada to win 2-1.

Canada team news: Davies a concern

16:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Canada star Davies, meanwhile, was another injury concern ahead of the World Cup and may not be ready for the opener.

Belgium team news: Romelu Lukaku not fit

16:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Martinez started Eden Hazard alongside Michy Batshuayi up front for the loss to Egypt, with Romelu Lukaku still not fully fit.

The Inter forward is facing a race against time to be fit for the opener.

Where to watch Belgium vs Canada

16:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: The game will be broadcast free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage starting at 6.30pm.

Live stream: The BBC iPlayer will offer a free live stream service.

LIVE coverage: Follow all of the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.

Welcome

16:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Belgium’s World Cup clash with Canada.

Kick-off inside the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium is at 7pm GMT.