Belgium’s ageing Golden Technology encounter a buoyed Canada facet making its first World Cup look since 1986.
Who: Belgium vs Canada, Group F
The place: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium stadium, Al Rayyan
When: 7pm (16:00 GMT)
That is maybe the primary time since Euro 2016 that Belgium arrive at a serious match with out being heralded as contenders – the sheen of their Golden Technology has worn off.
They've received every of their six group matches prior to now two World Cups however they’ll wrestle this time in a gaggle that includes 2018 finalists Croatia, Morocco and their opening-game opponents, Canada.
Canada’s Maple Leafs have arrived in Doha stuffed with hope. This will likely be solely their second World Cup look – the primary since 1986.
Belgium’s observe file over the previous few years reveals that they comfortably beat lower-ranked sides however stumble in opposition to high quality opposition. They misplaced to the eventual champions France within the 2018 World Cup and to Italy within the quarterfinal of the Euros final yr.
Eden Hazard, one of many standout Belgium gamers within the 2018 World Cup, has hardly featured for Actual Madrid since his transfer in 2019. Whereas many known as for him to get replaced by Leandro Trossard within the beginning XI, supervisor Roberto Martinez’s religion in his captain has not wavered.
Romelu Lukaku has been tormented by accidents and poor type over the previous yr and the Purple Devils lack a robust backup striker to make up for his absence. The lynchpins of their defence, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, have a mixed age of 68.
Prepared for my third World Cup! 🔥 @BelRedDevilspic.twitter.com/WKvJzYw19c
— Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) November 10, 2022
Kevin de Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, arguably the one two world-class gamers within the squad, will likely be key to Belgium’s probabilities.
The Maple Leafs secured their spot within the match in fashion, successful eight of their 14 video games within the CONCACAF qualifiers, defeating heavyweights Mexico and USA.
Whereas 22-year-old Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies is the undoubted Canada star, Lille striker Jonathan David and Membership Brugge ahead Cyle Larin confirmed within the qualifiers. Larin was the highest scorer with 11 objectives, with David shut behind in second with 9.
The tempo and verve of Canada’s assault will make for an interesting battle in opposition to the ageing however skilled Belgium rearguard. The one time these two sides have met earlier than was in a pleasant in 1989 that Belgium received 2-0.
Belgium enter the World Cup in detached type, having misplaced to Netherlands and Egypt of their final two outings. Canada, too, has received simply two of its final 5 video games.
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