Canada face Qatar in their second Group B fixture, looking to make amends after squandering multiple chances in a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the tournament’s opening day seeing all four Group B teams share points, this clash promises high stakes in a wide-open battle for progression. Follow our liveblog to see how it unfolds.
Official lineups
Qatar:Abunada – Pedro Miguel ; Laye ; Garber ; Aloui ; Ahmed ; Khoukhi – Madibo – Junior ; Afif ; Abdurisag.
Canada: Crepeau – Johnston ; De Fougerolles ; Cornelius ; Laryea – Eustaquio (cap.) ; Koné – Larin ; David ; Buchanan ; Ahmed.
VAR being checked for possible penalty
Qatar’s uphill battle
Playing with ten men, Qatar are completely outmatched. The match has taken on a rapid, direct tempo more akin to handball than football…
We’re back underway in Toronto
Half-time
DAVID COMPLETES HIS BRACE!
Jonathan David is in the right place again, sliding the ball into an empty net after a rebound deflects off a defender!
6 minutes of added time
Qatar make changes
Sultan Al Brake replaces Yusuf Abdurisag as Qatar attempt to find some spark despite being down to ten men.
Buchanan denied
Tajon Buchanan finds space inside the box but his shot is brilliantly blocked by Ali Ahmed.
Penalty overturned!
Canada’s joy is short-lived. After VAR review, referee Cristian Garay reverses the penalty decision. No penalty awarded
Red card for Al-Amin
Homam Al Amin is shown a straight red card for a violent challenge. Qatar reduced to ten men
Qatar falling apart
The Maroons are being torn to shreds. The hosts are toying with their opponents.
And another oneeee for Canada
Jonathan David capitalises on a rebound at the edge of the box with a clinical finish inside the right post
Can Qatar make a comeback before half-time?
One-way traffic
Canada are utterly dominant early on, controlling about 70% possession after just 20 minutes. Qatar struggling to get a foothold in this match
Time for a cooling break
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL
Cyle Larin fires home a rebound from close range
Canada’s missed opportunity
Ali Ahmed’s free kick is blocked and cleared by Qatar’s defence. No danger created from the set piece.
First chance for Qatar
Afif pounces on a loose ball in midfield and drives forward into space. Surrounded by five Canadian defenders, he earns a crucial free kick in a dangerous position in front of goal.
Co-host nation Canada has long harboured World Cup ambitions but never truly delivered on the international stage, arriving as underdogs in a fiercely competitive Group B. The Concacaf representatives opened their tournament campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, squandering multiple clear-cut chances that should have yielded victory. Jesse Marsch’s side now face Qatar, seeking the redemption their first-half performance against the Dragons deserved.
Qatar, fresh from their 2022 World Cup appearance and still building momentum as a rising force in Asian football, showed in their Group B opener against Switzerland that they possess the resilience to stay in matches until the final whistle.
A dramatic late equaliser against the Swiss proved they are no pushover, despite being overlooked by many observers. With both nations on one point, Wednesday’s clash represents a genuine opportunity for either side to seize control of Group B’s unpredictable narrative.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
