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Stefan Tonev
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Lacklustre Belgium beat Canada 1-0, Alphonso misses penalty
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Canada dominated but failed to convert scoring opportunities

Canada put on a show in their return to the World Cup after a 36-year absence but paid the price for failing to convert several gilt-edged chances in a valiant 1-0 loss to Belgium in a lively Group F encounter on Wednesday.

The 41st-ranked Canadians had a glorious chance to score their first-ever World Cup goal and take the lead in the 10th minute, but Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois showed his class and saved Alphonso Davies’s weak penalty.

Yet despite the scuff, Canada stayed very involved in the match with second-ranked Belgium the side forced to sit back.

John Herdman’s men registered 14 shots compared to four for Belgium during the opening 45 minutes with Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard surprisingly quiet.

However, Belgium, without injured striker Romelu Lukaku, went ahead on the stroke of halftime courtesy of Michy Batshuayi’s half-volley from Toby Aldeweireld’s long pass.

Canada’s Atiba Hutchinson (39 years, 288 days) became the oldest outfield player in the World Cup’s history since Cameroon striker Roger Milla in 1994. The Canadian is also the oldest-ever starter at a World Cup match.

Roberto Martinez’s side, third at the 2018 World Cup, regained their composure after the break and held on to move top of the group on three points, two ahead of Croatia and Morocco who drew 0-0 earlier on Wednesday.