Summary

  • Use play icon at the top of page for live coverage from the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Qatar

  • FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada - Michy Batshuayi opens scoring after Alphonso Davies penalty saved

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate), or text your comments via WhatsApp on 03301231826

  1. Goodbyepublished at 21:38 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    .Image source, Rex Features

    Right, it's time to bring this live to an end.

    Day four at the 2022 World Cup brought 11 goals [seven for Spain] but what will Thursday bring?

    It's a mouth-watering day.

    First up it's Switzerland against Cameroon at 10:00 GMT followed by Uruguay-South Korea at 13:00.

    After that it's Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal against Ghana at 16:00, with Brazil against Serbia the late game at 19:00.

    Don't forget you can get all the latest from the World Cup here.

    Good night.

  2. 'This was a tired display by Belgium'published at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan

    Belgium have Canada's poor finishing to thank for the fact they avoided the fate of Argentina and Germany in falling victim to a World Cup shock.

    Belgium still have glorious talent in the shape of Kevin de Bruyne and a world-class keeper in Thibaut Courtois but they looked ragged, jaded and desperately vulnerable to the pace and energy of Canada's attacking play.

    he defensive duo of Alderweireld, 33, and 35-year-old Jan Vertonghen have served country and clubs outstandingly well, but there was an air of desperation about some of their play as Canada, in the first half particularly, dragged Belgium to all parts.

    Belgium can clearly perform much better than this and have main striker Romelu Lukaku to return up front but this was a tired-looking effort.

    Read Phil McNulty's match report.

  3. 'We need to play better and grow'published at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Belgium

    .Image source, Reuters

    More from Belgium boss Roberto Martinez to MOTD:

    "Canada deserved to be better than us in the way they played. I think the result reflects the things that we had to do and the way we defended for each other and took our chance.

    "It's a win and we need to play better and to grow. We've been here five days, we have to grow with these games. Many top teams are losing games.

    "This tournament is going to make you develop and grow as the tournament goes on. If you do that by winning games, it's an incredible advantage.

    "Today we didn't win by our normal talent and quality on the ball, but you don't win in the World Cup if you don't do the other side of the game.

    "We need to be realistic, we need to play well but when a team can win without playing well, it's a lot to build on."

  4. 'The lads showed they can live on this stage'published at 21:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    .Image source, Reuters

    Canada manager John Herdman, speaking to BBC One: "I'm proud of the performance but you need to take three points in your first game. We had an opportunity to be top of the group tonight - that was the mission and we missed it, but I'm proud of the performance.

    "These lads put a shift in, they showed that they can live on this stage. They made the fans proud and made them feel like they belong here and that was important for us. I showed them the stats and showed them that they belong here.

    "Croatia is our next mission. I lost my first game at the London 2012 Olympics and then we went on to win our first medal in 86 years so it's how we respond now. With that belief and keeping the brotherhood tight, we've got a chance."

  5. Man of the momentpublished at 21:22 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Thibaut Courtois saving a penaltyImage source, Getty Images

    As well as rescuing his side, Thibaut Courtois became the first Belgium goalkeeper to save a World Cup penalty since the numbers started being collected in 1966. Bravo.

  6. Postpublished at 21:21 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Analysis of Belgium's win over Canada is continuing in the World Cup Extra studio. Gary Lineker and guests are on air. Click the tab at the top of the page to watch.

  7. 'A lot to build on'published at 21:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Belgium

    .Image source, PA Media

    Belgium manager Roberto Martinez, speaking on BBC One: "Today was such a difficult game, Canada were better than us in what we wanted to do. They came to the tournament with an incredible celebration, great emotion, what we expected. This Canada team has a lot of pace and directness.

    "To be fair, we had to show another side of our play. I'm delighted because we won the game through grit and experience, through the quality of our goalkeeper who kept us in the game by saving the penalty, many elements. The victory today is more important than when you play well."

  8. 'No pushovers'published at 21:15 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Nadine Yousif
    BBC reporter, Toronto, Canada

    .

    In Toronto’s Little Italy, scores of Canada fans watched their country’s team play in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.

    The mood was tense for the first half. Silence fell over watchers as Belgium scored, and fans anxiously crossed their fingers for Canada.

    But many say they are just thrilled to be here and watch Canada’s team play after all this time.

    "I was quite upset myself," said Calen Hamelin, a long-time Canada fan, in reaction to Belgium’s goal.

    "But overall, I think Canada showed they’re not a pushover."

  9. 'Don't stop believing'published at 21:11 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    A graphic of shots when Canada played BelgiumImage source, Opta

    Les Rouges were so much more active inside the opposition penalty area.

    The size of these dots illustrate the expected goal value of each attempt. Canada's coach is entitled to tell his team to keep believing.

  10. Postpublished at 21:10 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Lots of positives for Canada to take into their next match against Croatia on Sunday (16:00 GMT). Up next for Belgium are Morocco on the same day (13:00).

  11. Postpublished at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Canada recorded 22 attempts in this match (0 goals). Spain scored seven goals from 17 shots in their 7-0 win over Costa Rica earlier today.

  12. 'Canada lacked finesse'published at 21:06 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Alex Scott
    Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC One

    .Image source, Rex Features

    Canada will be devastated because of the effort and the heart they showed throughout that match. It just shows the difference in quality when you have those moments, having the composure to make something of it. They just lacked that finesse at the end of everything they did.

  13. Postpublished at 21:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Belgium

    Roberto Martinez is being interviewed by TV. He accepts that Belgium did not play as well he wanted but is confident they will grow into the tournament.

  14. Postpublished at 21:03 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Richie Laryea in actionImage source, Getty Images

    You might have been forgiven for not tipping Richie Laryea to fashion the most chances before tonight's game.

    The man on loan to Toronto FC from Nottingham Forest set up four opportunities - his creativity was only matched by Kevin de Bruyne.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Via WhatsApp 03301231826

    Dave: Will be interesting to see who gets out of this group - all four teams will fancy their chances.

  16. 'Calm & composed Courtois'published at 21:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Vincent Kompany
    Former Belgium and Manchester City captain on BBC One

    You could see the players were happy with the win but it was a difficult game. Thibaut Courtois was calm and composed when they needed him but it wasn't the best performance.

  17. Postpublished at 21:00 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Belgium

    Belgium equal the longest winning streak in the World Cup group stage: eight set by Brazil in 1986-1994 and matched by Brazil themselves in 2002-2010.

  18. 'Canada need to show more composure'published at 20:58 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    FT: Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Jermaine Jenas
    Former England midfielder on BBC One

    You can't fault Canada's effort levels, for sure. John Herdman will be asking his forward players to show a bit more composure in the coming matches. If they do that, they're a team that can cause you problems.

  19. FULL-TIMEpublished at 20:57 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Belgium 1-0 Canada

    They gave it everything but Canada emerge with nothing as Belgium go straight to the top of Group F.

  20. Postpublished at 90 + 4 mins

    Belgium 1-0 Canada

    Canada boss John Herdman has a pained expression across his face. His players have given this everything but they're heading for zero points.