Day 4 at World Cup 2022: Canada outplays Belgium but loses; Spain, Japan win; Croatia-Morocco draw

Canada playing its first men’s World Cup match in 36 years highlighted Day 4 action.

Sadly, a tremendous performance for the most part came up short in a 1-0 defeat to Belgium. Japan upset four-time Germany 2-1 after Croatia and Morocco played out a goalless draw. Spain dominated Costa Rica in a 7-0 win.

• Watch the matches live on CTV and TSN.

Tuesday featured arguably the biggest shock in World Cup history as Saudi Arabia defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina 2-1. The other results were fairly routine with Denmark versus Tunisia and Poland versus Mexico both yielding goalless draws. France defeated Australia 4-1 in the final match of the day.

Here is everything you need to know about Day 4 in Qatar:

CANADA VS. BELGIUM

Full match report

Canada put up a heroic showing in its first men's World Cup appearance in 36 years, against Belgium, but ultimately fell to a 1-0 defeat after squandering multiple chances including a missed penalty.

Canada dominated the majority of the match against a side ranked second in the world but John Herdman's men will rue the chances that went to waste, none bigger than Alphonso Davies' 11th-minute penalty attempt that was saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Canada are in last place after the first round of matches in Group F, but only a point behind both Croatia and Morocco who played out a goalles draw earlier in the day. 

SPAIN VS. COSTA RICA

Full match report

Spain looked to build off its Euro 2020 semifinal and dominated the pitch against Costa Rica to win 7-0.

Immediately from kickoff, the match was all Spain, with the country’s silky ball movement breaking down Costa Rica easily.

Goals from Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio plus a penalty from Ferran Torres had Spain ahead 3-0 at half-time.

It was then a mountain to climb for Costa Rica and while there have been a few World Cup shocks already, no player could register a shot all game.

Second-half goals from Torres, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata wrapped up the statement win. 

GERMANY VS. JAPAN

Full match report

Japan pulled off a brilliant second-half comeback to upset Germany 2-1 in Group E.

Germany had a 1-0 lead at halftime courtesy of an Ilkay Gundogan penalty after David Raum was needlessly brought down in the box by goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.

It could so very nearly have been 2-0 but Kai Havertz was inches offside on a tap-in just before halftime.

Despite Germany's dominance of the ball with 74 per cent possession and 26 shots to Japan's 12, the Japanese were swift on the counter and earned their 75th minute equalizer through substitute Ritsu Doan.

In the 83rd minute, Takuma Asano caught the German defence off guard by beating their offside trap on a free-kick from inside Japan's own half before blasting a powerful shot past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's near post.

Before the match, German players covered their mouths for the team photo as a form of protest against FIFA's decision to reject wearing "One Love" armbands to support diversity and inclusion.

CROATIA VS. MOROCCO

Full match report

Both sides struggled to create guilt-edged opportunities in the final third and shared a 0-0 draw as a result.

Teams get one point for a draw as opposed to three for a win, so this is good news for the other two teams in Group F, Canada and Belgium.

UPDATES

France's starting left back Lucas Hernandez has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament and likely the rest of the club season after rupturing the ACL in his right knee. The defending champion is already missing Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, and Christopher Nkunku through injury.

Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is expected to miss the team's next match against Qatar due to a right hamstring injury. Defender Abdou Diallo was subbed off against Netherlands due to muscle cramps but is expected to be fit.

Morocco left back Noussair Mazraoui, who impressed for an hour on the pitch, was subbed off due to injury against Croatia and his status will have to be monitored.

Saudi Arabia defender Yasser Alshahrani is being treated at a hospital for facial injuries after a collision with goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais during the stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina.

LOOKING AHEAD

Day Five at the World Cup looks like this:

• Switzerland vs. Cameroon at 5:00 a.m. on TSN 1, 3.
• Uruguay vs. South Korea at 8:00 a.m. on TSN 1, 3.
• Portugal vs. Ghana at 11:00 a.m. on TSN 1, 3.
• Brazil vs. Serbia at 2:00 p.m. on CTV/TSN 1, 3.

All times listed are Eastern Standard.

With files from Associated Press.