Belgium’s head coach admitted his Canadian opponents were better than his squad in Wednesday’s Group F opening game, but said experience ultimately was the difference in the win for the Red Devils.
“Today was such a difficult game, Canada was better than us,” Roberto Martinez said in an interview with the BBC after Belgium’s 1-0 win. “I’m delighted that we won the game through grit, to experience to the quality of our goalkeeper.”
Even Belgium’s stars, including man of the match Kevin De Bruyne, were complimentary of Canada’s well-fought game.
“I don’t think I played a great game,” De Bruyne said after the match. “I don’t know why I have got the trophy. Maybe because of the name. Credit to Canada.”
Canada stormed out of the gate in their first World Cup match since 1986, pressuring the Belgium back line constantly and sending plenty of shots toward world-class keeper Thibaut Courtois. That fast start even led to an early penalty kick but Courtois denied Alphonso Davies’ attempt at scoring Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal.
In the end, a goal from Michy Batshuayi late in the first half was the difference and Belgium — the No. 2 team in the world — secured three crucial points to move into first place in Group F. But Canada’s effort impressed many people around the world, including their opponents.
“They were very clear what they wanted to do,” Martinez said. “Canada deserved to be better than us in the way they approached their performance.”