It is official — Canada has its first goal in men’s FIFA World Cup history.
Les Rouges entered their second match of the 2022 World Cup without a tally in men’s national team history, but Alphonso Davies wasted little time on Sunday changing that.
The star midfielder for Canada took a cross from Tajon Buchanan and headed it into the net, past Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. It was the fastest goal scored at the 2022 World Cup.
After seeing his penalty kick saved against Belgium in Canada’s opening Group F match, it was redemption for the Bayern Munich star.
Watch in Canada:
THE FIRST GOAL EVER SCORED AT THE WORLD CUP FOR CANADA: ALPHONSO DAVIES! 🇨🇦#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/0t3iLwtCvk
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2022
Watch in USA:
WHAT A MOMENT 🔥
Alphonso Davies scores Canada’s first ever FIFA World Cup goal 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/zzPLBd3cIo
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022
MORE: Fastest goals scored in FIFA World Cup history
Canada is making only its second appearance at the men’s FIFA World Cup. The first came in 1986, where the team was shut out in all three matches.
The team began the 2022 tournament getting blanked 1-0 by Belgium. Davies had the chance to give Canada the lead, but his penalty kick was denied by Belgium star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
MORE: Canada qualifying scenarios
Canada all-time leaders in goals
While Canada had not scored in the World Cup prior to 2022, they have done plenty of scoring in international competition.
The two leaders in goals all-time for Canada are both in Qatar with the team. Cyle Larin holds the record for most goals for Canada’s men’s national team with 25. Behind him is Jonathan David, who is tied for second with Dwayne De Rosario on 22.
Lucas Cavallini and Junior Hoilett are two other members of Les Rouges playing at the 2022 World Cup who are in the top-10 all-time for Canada in goals.
(Players in bold are members of Canada’s 2022 World Cup team.)
| Players | Goals |
|---|---|
| Cyle Larin | 25 |
| Jonathan David | 22 |
| Dwayne De Rosario | 22 |
| John Catliff | 19 |
| Dale Mitchell | 19 |
| Lucas Cavallini | 18 |
| Tosaint Ricketts | 17 |
| Alex Bunbury | 16 |
| Ali Gerba | 15 |
| Junior Hoilett | 14 |
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Canada World Cup record
Canada had never collected a single World Cup point or scored a single World Cup goal, after heading home empty-handed from their only men’s World Cup appearance in 1986.
They faced a brutal group of France, Hungary and the Soviet Union in that tournament, conceding five goals through the three games and failing to find the back of the net.
The loss to France was especially tough, holding the European power to a scoreless draw until Jean-Pierre Papin scored a 79th minute-winner.
| Year | Host | Qualified via | Stage reached |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Mexico | 1985 CONCACAF Championship title | Group Stage |
| 2022 | Qatar | 1st place, CONCACAF 2022 WCQ | TBD |
Canada World Cup matches
| Date | Host | Stage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 1986 | Mexico | Group Stage | Canada 0-1 France |
| June 6, 1986 | Mexico | Group Stage | Hungary 2-0 Canada |
| June 9, 1986 | Mexico | Group Stage | Soviet Union 2-0 Canada |
| Nov. 23, 2022 | Qatar | Group Stage | Belgium 1-0 Canada |
| Nov. 27, 2022 | Qatar | Group Stage | Croatia vs. Canada |
| Dec. 1, 2022 | Qatar | Group Stage | Canada vs. Morocco |
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