Alphonso Davies scored against Croatia on Sunday to give Canada its first-ever goal at the menB次元官网网址檚 World Cup.

A cross from Tajon Buchanan found Davies flying through the air and the Bayern Munich star headed it home to give Canada a 1-0 lead.

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

Consider that 2,548 goals in total were scored at the 21 previous World Cups, with 132 of those scored at the 1986 tournament. Brazil came to Qatar as the all-time goals leader at the World Cup with 229, having competed at every tournament.

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

It looked like Davies was going to end the scoring drought in the 11th minute of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 opener Wednesday against No. 2 Belgium at Ahmad Bin Al Stadium, but his penalty kick was saved by Belgian B次元官网网址榢eeper Thibault Courtois.

The 41st-ranked Canadians ended up losing 1-0 despite outshooting Belgium 21-9 (each team had three shots on target). Forward Jonathan David led Canada with seven attempted shots, none of which hit the mark.

Canada needed to secure at least a point against No. 12 Croatia to keep alive its hopes of making it to the knockout round.

In 1986, the bookmakers laid long odds on Canada getting a goal in Mexico. And they were proved right as the Canadian men lost 1-0 to France and 2-0 to Hungary in their first two outings at the tournament.

Defender Bob Lenarduzzi came close in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 final Group C game at Estadio Sergio Leon Chavez in Irapuato, on a corner against the Soviet Union, only to have the ball squib off his foot in the penalty box. Canada was blanked again, losing 2-0 in its tournament finale.

B次元官网网址淚t was a terrible effort,B次元官网网址� Lenarduzzi recalled prior to the tournament with a laugh.

B次元官网网址淭o this day I will have people, older people that is, say B次元官网网址榊ou cost me a few bucks. If you had scored there, I would have done all right.B次元官网网址� Whoever scores that first goal for Canada _ and someoneB次元官网网址檚 going to do it in Qatar _ they donB次元官网网址檛 know it, but they should thank me for them having that honour. Because I should have scored.B次元官网网址�

Canada has offensive weapons in Qatar. Cyle Larin came into the tournament with a Canadian menB次元官网网址檚 record 25 goals while David had 22, Lucas Cavallini 18, Junior Hoilett 14 and Davies 12.

Midfielder Jonathan Osorio, who came into SundayB次元官网网址檚 matchup with seven Canada goals to his credit, said scoring in Qatar was just a step to a greater goal.

B次元官网网址淥f course that will be very special to the country when we get our first goal,B次元官网网址� he said prior to the tournament. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e going to be remembered forever really. But I donB次元官网网址檛 think thatB次元官网网址檚 really the focus. The focus is getting the first win. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檙e looking forward to.

B次元官网网址淔or us it really doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter who scores as long as somebody does it and weB次元官网网址檙e able to win the game. I think people are more looking forward to the first win rather than just the first goal.B次元官网网址�

The first strike was one of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first team goals in Qatar, however.

Croatia outscored its opposition 14-9 at the 2018 World Cup, losing 4-2 to France in the final. But it was stymied in its Group F opener Wednesday, playing No. 22 Morocco to a 0-0 draw.

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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

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