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Group F: Belgium Battle Canada

Photo of Interns Interns23/11/2022 - 04:22 pm

The 2022 FIFA World Cup continues to produce captivating football and the main event on Wednesday is expected to live up to the billing.

As we near the completion of the opening round of World Cup group matches, Belgium are set to take on Canada in Group F. Victory for either side would see them climb to the top of the group after Croatia and Morocco played out a closely-fought goalless stalemate earlier on Wednesday at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Belgium are the overwhelming favourites in this particular tie, especially when considering their previous experience on the world stage as well as the several big names at their disposal. Having said that, these are the same ‘big names’ that starred when Belgium broke onto the international scene almost a decade ago.

At the 2014 World Cup, it seemed the sky was the limit for this ‘golden generation’ spearheaded by Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard – all 23 or younger at the time.

Four major tournaments later and the aforementioned trio is still the face of the Red Devils’ attack and there is a concerning lack of younger players rising through the ranks. Not only has this Belgium side massively underachieved, they are also devoid of a clear-cut succession plan beyond this group of talented (and ageing) individuals.

Hazard and De Bruyne are already 31 while Lukaku turns 30 next year, meaning Qatar 2022 may prove a last hurrah for all three of them at the World Cup.

Among the 26 players called up by Roberto Martínez, Lukaku and Hazard are two of six players with 100+ international caps. Dries Mertens (35), Jan Vertonghen (35), Toby Alderweireld (33), and Axel Witsel (33) are all centurions for their country, though neither one of them are players they once were.

Seven of the 26 currently ply their trade in the Premier League, with four in the Spanish top flight. Five of them are in the local Pro League (including Alderweireld, Vertonghen, and Simon Mignolet).

Leicester City, in particular, have a handful of Belgian Red Devils with Youri Tielemans, Timothy Castagne, and Wout Faes all sharing a dressing room at the King Power Stadium.

While there are some younger players – Jeremy Doku, Charles De Ketaleare, and Amadou Onana – knocking on the door, it is difficult to see Martínez reverting from his trusted servants in favour of junior squad members.

Last year Belgium lost to Italy in the Euro quarter-finals before going down to France in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, and again to Italy in the UNL third place play-off, of which Vertonghen and Alderweireld started as part of a back three in all three games.

Martínez prepares to take charge at a second World Cup and third tournament overall, but an underachievement in Qatar may see the Spaniard relieved of his duties by the Royal Belgian FA.

For Canada, this will be a first contest at the World Cup finals for 36 years and just their second overall. In 1986, their only other appearance at the tournament, the Canadians crashed out of the groups in a hugely disappointing manner.

The Maple Leafs took three defeats out of three and exited the tournament without scoring a goal. Needless to say, a goal tonight for the North Americans would be both historic and euphoric.

Like every one of his teammates, Atiba Hutchinson is braced for a World Cup debut. However, one difference being the Canadian captain is within three months of his 40th birthday and he is most-capped Canada international of all-time, with 98 outings for his national team. Two more appearances would make the Ontario-born midfielder the first centurion in Canada colours.

While the Belgium squad is the joint-oldest at Qatar 2022, Canada have the sixth-youngest squad with an average age of 25,5 years. The Maple Leafs’ younger group is headlined by Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, both well-recognised in European football.

No doubt the blistering pace of Davies, 22, will cause problems for their opponents, especially if Belgium manager Martínez fields the archaic pair of Alderweireld and Vertonghen.

David, meanwhile, represents his team’s threat in front of goal. The 22-year-old has scored nine times in 15 matches for Lille in Ligue 1 this season. He has also notched 22 goals in 35 appearances for Canada. David bagged nine goals in World Cup qualifying; only teammate Cyle Larin scored more (13) in CONCACAF qualifiers.

Canada won three, drew two, and lost one of six games against the three other North and Central American nations to have qualified for Qatar 2022 (Costa Rica, Mexico, and USA).

Alphonso Davies is quicker than most.
(Photo: Getty Images)

As mentioned, the Belgians are the pre-match favourites in this tie and the FIFA rankings would strongly back that up. Belgium are ranked 2nd in the world, with Canada down in 41st. The two nations prepare to lock horns at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, with kick-off at 22H00 local time (20H00 CET).

Belgium are 1.55 to pick up victory in their World Cup opener; Canada are 6.00 to pull off an upset; 4.20 for a draw. Kevin De Bruyne is 3.00 to score anytime. (Bet365)

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Photo of Interns Interns23/11/2022 - 04:22 pm

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