Final Score: Canada 0-2 Uruguay
Goalscorers: De la Cruz 6′, Núñez 33′
International Friendly
Bratislava, Slovakia
Match in a minute or less
The Canadian men’s national team went toe-to-toe with 13th-ranked Uruguay on Tuesday in Bratislava, Slovakia, as both sides continue preparations for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Ultimately, the result didn’t fall Canada’s way, as they fell 2-0, but nonetheless John Herdman’s men left with plenty to take away from their first test against a top non-Concacaf side in years. Nicolás de la Cruz opened the scoring for Uruguay in just the sixth minute, as he smashed a free kick over the wall toward the near post, just beating goalkeeper Milan Borjan who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. Half an hour later, La Celeste doubled their lead thanks to Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez, who headed home a cross from World Cup veteran Luis Suárez. The Canadians went on to produce a few chances of their own in the second half, controlling more possession than their South American foes, but they ultimately couldn’t find a way through a stingy Uruguayan defence despite a lively showing from Alphonso Davies in attack. So, Canada finished this international window with one win and one defeat, as they now turn their attention toward November and the group stage in Qatar.
Three Observations
Learning moments for Canada as world-class talent punishes mistakes
As was expected heading into this match, Uruguay’s top players posed a serious challenge for Canada. In the first half especially, Uruguay demonstrated the perils of making even minor errors against opposition of their calibre, which was certainly something Canada needed to experience first-hand before the World Cup. The first Uruguayan goal — a powerful free-kick to the near post from Nicolás de la Cruz — reminded Les Rouges how much they can be punished for giving away unnecessary fouls near the penalty area, as was the case with Kamal Miller’s messy tackle to set it up. In the 20 or so minutes after that De la Cruz opener, Canada nearly found themselves punished further; Milan Borjan was caught off his line a couple times, and some errant passes in midfield triggered lightning-fast transitional attacks from the Uruguayans. When Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez missed a volley at the back post midway through the half, it didn’t seem he’d be likely to miss his next chance — and he certainly did not. Uruguay added their second goal just after the half-hour mark as Canada afforded a little too much space to Luis Suárez collecting a throw-in, and Núñez beat Alistair Johnston in the air to redirect the cross into the net for 2-0. Those kinds of moments — of which, encouragingly, there were more in the first half than the second — could prove instructive to Canada. They already knew, at least theoretically, that the likes of Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco will punish any errors ruthlessly at the World Cup. Now, though, the Canadian players have experienced it first-hand, and have a reference point for just how dangerous world-class attackers truly are. “They managed it quite well, I thought there were some moments where — I think Núñez was clocked as the quickest player in the Premier League — we’re hanging on by fingertips in transitional moments,” Canada boss John Herdman told OneSoccer on air after the match. “That’s something we’ve got to learn; at times we’re a bit naïve, sending players forward in the first half, but at the end of the day, the goal from Suárez to Núñez, that’s just two top level players and that’s what they do.” Canada learned, specifically, how little time they’ll have to make decisions against top opponents. The tempo of Uruguay’s play, both with the ball and pressing without it, was a step above what Canada has been used to, and they were able to put defenders under pressure in transition extremely quickly upon winning the ball, forcing Canada’s back five to lose shape in tracking back. Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was exceptional for Uruguay in that regard, with his ability to read the game and win the ball before springing counter-attacks up toward Núñez. This match produced plenty of positive takeaways for Canada, but the overarching theme from Herdman’s postmatch thoughts was that there are no prizes for coming close and failing. It may end up being a good thing that Canada were exposed in individual moments on Tuesday, because they now have tangible concerns to address and reference points for how to improve in those areas. “There’s not a massive gap to close here,” Herdman said. “It’s being realistic with, we have a chance at this World Cup to really push on. Tonight, for those that are guessing and wondering how far Canada are away, well it was a 2-0 loss. That’s what it is, it’s what’s gonna be on the record books, and at the end of the day the performance is going to be good for us in this moment but when we get to the World Cup that has to be a win with those opportunities.”
Uruguay cedes possession to stifle Canada’s transition, prompt other attacking ideas
One aspect of this game that perhaps didn’t go as Canada anticipated was how much they controlled the ball. Uruguay played a little more defensively than expected, often content to allow their opponents to cross the halfway line with the ball while they settled into a structure that flowed between a 4-4-2 and 5-3-2. As a result, Canada were forced to try and break down their opponent with possession, rather than seek to strike in transitional moments — unlike, for instance, how they beat the United States during World Cup Qualifying. Of course, Uruguay aren’t necessarily a possession-heavy team by design anyway; they averaged about 47 per cent possession in the four qualification matches they played under recently-appointed manager Diego Alonso. In this case, allowing Canada to have 55 per cent possession seemed at least partially by design from the Uruguayans who did their homework and knew how dangerous the Canadian attack is in transition. Canada therefore looked to play between the lines, Alphonso Davies in particular drifting across the pitch to collect the ball and advance it into the box. He finished with six key passes on the day, which suggests he created just over half of Canada’s 11 shots, feeding both Jonathan David and Cyle Larin a number of times. Davies also had some excellent combinations with left wingback Sam Adekugbe as well as Stephen Eustáquio sliding toward the left half-space from midfield. “We were finding our spaces,” Eustáquio said on OneSoccer. “Phonzie was rolling out, Sam Adekugbe was rolling out, [Kamal] Miller has a very good quality of passing, I was finding my spaces as well. If we can do that on the left, and if we can do that on the right, I think we can control most of the games. “If we tied this match but we didn’t really control the game, I’d be mad. To be honest, I’m proud because we controlled the game; we lost 2-0 but it’s a test. Qatar in two months, and I think we’re going to be more ready.” Ultimately, however, Canada never did find their way through. With the middle of the pitch quite congested and both Bentancur and Federico Valverde proving immovable — not to mention lethal if Canada coughed up the ball to them — Davies and Adekugbe often opted to play into the wide area next to the box. So, too, did Richie Laryea and Junior Hoilett (who replaced Laryea at right wingback at halftime). The crosses Canada played in from those areas never seemed to find their mark, although they did lead to a few set-piece opportunities — which Canada failed to take advantage of, with poor deliveries from the corner flags and limited success in aerial duels. Herdman’s sentiment after the contest was one of disappointment, which is another testament to the confidence and ambition of this Canadian team. He felt that, in a match where his side had more of the ball than expected but still not a ton of high-quality chances, they needed to be far more clinical. “Bit disappointed; I’ve spoken to the lads in the dressing room and let them know that when you have that type of opportunity in a game you’ve got to take the chances, you’ve got to win football matches,” Herdman said. “There’s not gonna be any special reward for losing games where you have a chance to win them.” In Qatar, things are not getting any easier; it’s unlikely Canada will have this much possession against Belgium, but it’s not impossible to imagine Croatia seeing how Uruguay stifled Canada’s transition and setting themselves up similarly.
Ismaël Koné making strong case for important minutes in Qatar
Perhaps one of the biggest stories to come out of this international window for Canada has been the two substitute appearances from CF Montréal youngster Ismaël Koné. The 20-year-old only had two appearances for the senior national team heading into this camp, both of them coming in the final round of World Cup Qualifying with about 55 minutes of action split between the Costa Rica and Panama games. He’s come off the bench in both friendlies in this window, playing 30 minutes against Qatar and now 35 against Uruguay, and the impact he managed to make in those limited appearances surely gave Canada much to consider. John Herdman made a telling choice on Tuesday by putting Koné on the pitch so early in a match where Canada were chasing a goal. Taking Samuel Piette off for Koné was not just an instance of giving a youngster an opportunity; rather, it was a tactical choice from Herdman to deploy a more progressive option in midfield alongside Stephen Eustáquio. The implication that Herdman trusts a player of Koné’s age with such relative inexperience is a testament to the young player’s quality. Koné is still very early in his national team career, but there appears to be a sense in the team that he could be the future of its midfield next to Eustáquio. The way he can open up the pitch and play clever passes to both sides makes him a key component of possession play, and he has the vision to pick out longer balls to spring transitions as well. He has a very different profile to his CF Montréal teammate Piette, perhaps not as physical or commanding defensively, but in games where Canada enjoys time on the ball he may already be the more effective option. “I think young Koné just showed his poise, his control, and his ability to play — you’re talking about Valverde, Bentancur in that central midfield,” Herdman told OneSoccer. “Let’s not get away from ourselves, they’re 2-0 up and they’re trying to manage a game at the same time, but some strong performances.” At the World Cup, the starting midfield duo is almost certain to be Eustáquio and Atiba Hutchinson — provided the latter can recover from his current injury in time. Increasingly, however, it seems that Koné could be one of Herdman’s first moves off the bench if he wants his side to take greater control of the game and move the ball quicker. “He has very good quality,” Eustáquio said of Koné after playing with him on Tuesday. “He’s very young, but just the quality he has, the way he goes forward, he’s not afraid to play anybody. Doesn’t mind the name on the back of the shirt, he just goes after it; he’s a very good player and he’s going to help us a lot in the future.”
CanPL.ca Pla****yer of the Match
Alphonso Davies, Canada
Canada’s star man was indeed their liveliest player on Tuesday, especially in the attacking half. His experience against world-class opposition shone through as he looked to progress the ball and create chances for his team in a fairly free role on the left side.
What’s next?
Canada have one test left before the World Cup begins, as they take on Japan in Dubai on Nov. 17. Following that, the group stage begins in Qatar, where Canada will face Belgium (Nov. 23), Croatia (Nov. 27), and Morocco (Dec. 1).