For Canadian soccer fans, the excitement of seeing their country play in the menB次元官网网址檚 World Cup for the first time in 36 years gave way to disappointment Wednesday as their team fell just short.

Even though the Canadians lost 1-0 to Belgium, many fans who gathered at watch parties across the country said they were inspired by the teamB次元官网网址檚 performance.

Felicia Wall, who was watching the game at VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Croatian Culture Centre with her brother Nik, said she was proud, despite the result.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 fun to see all of our nation be able to cheer for Canada instead of Italy, or Germany, or wherever weB次元官网网址檝e had to cheer for before, and to really feel like the nation is all coming together for one team B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 really inspiring,B次元官网网址� said Wall, dressed in a red shirt with a Canadian logo.

Pubs and restaurants on VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Commercial Drive were packed with fans hoping to see the Canadian soccer team score its first-ever World Cup goal. During halftime, fans went into the street to wave flags and chant B次元官网网址淐anada,B次元官网网址� as cars honked in support.

It was a moment some fans said theyB次元官网网址檇 been waiting for their entire lives.

Morgan Stacey, who was not born the last time Canada was in the World Cup, said it felt B次元官网网址減retty incredibleB次元官网网址� to cheer on Team Canada. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the first time in my life that I have ever gotten to see them compete in this tournament,B次元官网网址� he said. Stacey, 28, watched at the Burgundy Lion Pub in Montreal, which was at full capacity by kickoff, with more eager fans waiting to get in.

As Canada prepared to take a penalty shot early in the game, fans were on the edge of their seats, screaming as star winger Alphonso Davies lined up for the shot. The excitement turned to dismay when the Belgian goalkeeper stopped the attempt.

Students at St. Nicholas Catholic Junior High in Edmonton, where Davies attended and played in the schoolB次元官网网址檚 soccer academy, said seeing their favourite alumnus play on the worldB次元官网网址檚 biggest soccer stage was inspiring.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 incredible thinking that someone from Edmonton, Alberta, going to St. NicB次元官网网址檚 and making it to such a high level with such amazing footballers. It just inspires me that I could do the same,B次元官网网址� said Malik McDonald, 13, a student at the soccer academy who plays as a striker.

Students at the school filled a gym where the Canadian star used to play and watched the game on a giant screen.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really motivating, because someone in my own position went so far in their career, it gives you hope that you could do that, if you try hard enough,B次元官网网址� said Mary Mahe, another St. Nicholas student.

In Montreal, which is home to a large Belgian community, not all the fans who turned out to watch were backing Canada. As Belgium scored the gameB次元官网网址檚 only goal, there were enthusiastic cheers at the Burgundy Lion, but some of those cheers were tinged with disappointment.

B次元官网网址淚t was close. I suffered a lot with all those Canadians around me because I love Canada, but I am glad Belgium won,B次元官网网址� said Nicolas Spieckerman, a 42-year-old from Belgium.

Fellow Belgian David Dejean, 44, had a similar assessment. B次元官网网址淚 was disappointed for my Canadian friends. We didnB次元官网网址檛 deserve to win,B次元官网网址� he said.

Even though Canada fell behind late in the first half, fans remained hopeful throughout the game.

Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 team captain Christine Sinclair, who was among the dozens of fans watching the game at an electronics store at the Eaton Centre in Toronto, said she has waited her whole life to see CanadaB次元官网网址檚 men on a World Cup pitch. She thinks they have a chance to make it to the next stage of the tournament.

B次元官网网址淚 have been very impressed with how Canada showed up. They played pretty well, the whole half, dominated Belgium,B次元官网网址� Sinclair, 39, said during the halftime break. B次元官网网址淏ut unfortunately sports are cruel, and there is a reason why Belgium is one of the top teams in the world. They get one chance and put it in the back or the net. Now Canada has to chase.B次元官网网址�

The menB次元官网网址檚 World Cup performance B次元官网网址渋s only going to help the sport to grow here in Canada,B次元官网网址� she added.

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 next game is on Sunday morning against 2018 finalist Croatia.

B次元官网网址擩acob Serebrin, The Canadian Press