Alphonso Davies scores Canada’s first World Cup goal

Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first goal in the Men’s World Cup with a goal against Croatia.

A cross from Tajon Buchanan found Davis in the air and the Bayern Munich star headed home to give Canada a 1–0 lead.

Canada failed to score or secure points in their first trip to the 1986 tournament, exiting after three first-round losses in Mexico.

Consider that a total of 2,548 goals have been scored in the last 21 World Cups, 132 of which were scored in the 1986 competition. Brazil came to Qatar with all-time appearances and scoring 229 goals in the World Cup, the all-time record.

At the other end of the list Congo (playing as Zaire), China, Indonesia (playing as Dutch East Indies) and Trinidad and Tobago have yet to score in the World Cup.

Davis appeared to be trying to stop a scoring drought in the 11th minute of Canada’s opener against No. 2 Belgium at Ahmad bin Al Stadium on Wednesday, but his penalty kicked out for Belgium. It was saved by keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Canada, ranked 41st in the world, beat Belgium 21-9 but ultimately lost 1-0 (each team had three shots on target). Forward Jonathan David led Canada and attempted seven shots, none of which hit the mark.

Canada needed to secure at least one point against 12th-placed Croatia to keep hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds.

In 1986, bookmakers put long odds on Canada scoring a goal in Mexico. And the Canadian men proved them right with his 0-1 loss to France and his 0-2 loss to Hungary in his first two matches in the tournament.

Defender Bob Renarduzzi was close in a corner against the Soviet Union in Canada’s final Group C game at the Estadio Sergio Leon Chavez in Irapuato, only to kick the ball off his foot in the penalty box. ​​stolen. Canada went blank again and he lost 2–0 in the tournament final.

“It was a terrible effort,” Lenarduzzi recalled with a laugh before the tournament.

“To this day, I tell older people, ‘You cost me a few bucks. ‘ If you had scored there, I would have been fine. Decided and someone is going to do it in Qatar, they don’t know it, but they should thank me for giving me that honor.

Canada has offensive weapons in Qatar. Cyle Larin entered the tournament with his 25 goals, a Canadian men’s record, David with 22, Lucas Cavallini with 18, Junior Hoilett with 14 and Davies with 12.

Midfielder Jonathan Osorio, who scored seven goals for Canada in Sunday’s game, said his goal in Qatar was just a step towards a bigger goal.

“Of course when you score your first goal, it’s going to be very special for the country,” he said before the tournament. I don’t think it’s the focus, we’re going for the first win, that’s what we’re looking forward to.

“For us, it doesn’t matter who scores, as long as someone can score and win the game. I think the first win is more expected than the first goal.”

However, the first strike was one of Canada’s first team goals in Qatar.

Croatia outperformed their opponents 14-9 in the 2018 World Cup before losing 4-2 to France in the final. However, they struggled in Wednesday’s Group F opener with a 0-0 draw against 22nd-placed Morocco.

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Neil Davidson, Canadian Press

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