Alphonso Davies missed a golden chance to score Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal as his early penalty was SAVED by Thibaut Courtois.
The Canadians got the kick after VAR advised referee Janny Sikazwe to look into an incident in which the ball hit Yannick Carrasco in the arm.
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Davies was lucky enough to score Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal
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But Courtois lived up to his efforts
Carrasco blocked a Tajon Buchanan shot on goal and the referee decided it was enough to award the penalty.
Canada’s only previous World Cup appearance came in 1986, in a campaign that saw them fail to find the net.
In the 11th minute, Davies had the chance to make Canadian football history when he faced Courtois.
But the Real Madrid keeper matched Davies’ tame effort, diving low to his right before the ball was finally taken away.
The Maple Leafs got off to a positive start in the matchup with Jonathan David closing in shortly before Davies’ penalty.
Elsewhere, Alistair Johnston pricked Courtois’ hands with a powerful 30th-minute drive, while Canada also saw a penalty appeal dismissed.
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Could Canada and Davies regret this absence
But Davies missed Canada’s best chance in the first half, with talkSPORT’s Alex Crook calling it a ‘nightmare moment’, and you have to wonder if that bad penalty could cost Canada dearly against their highly rated opponents.
