Recap and Highlights: Canada start World Cup Qualifying with 5-1 victory over Bermuda

Playing their first game in well over a year, the Canadian Men’s National Team kicked off their 2022 World Cup Qualifying Campaign in style, with a comfortable 5-1 win over Bermuda.

After dominating possession of the ball in the early moments, Canada took the lead in the 19th minute. After number 19, Alphonso Davies, curled in a dangerous set piece, Cyle Larin got his head on the ball, redirecting it into the goal.

The Davies-Larin combo, extremely dangerous in this match, would also link up for Canada’s second. The Bermuda goalkeeper thought he could beat one of the fastest players in the world to the ball, but didn’t, and Davies found Larin with a cross. The Besiktas striker took a couple of touches before firing a low shot into the bottom left corner.

Canada came close to a third in the 35th minute. Alphonso Davies sprinted down the wing, and slid the ball to Lucas Cavallini, but Cavallini smashed it off the crossbar.

Canada continued to have the majority of the chances, but didn’t capitalize on any, and the first half ended 2-0.

Canada continued to control this match after the interval and found the scoresheet again in the 53rd minute. Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea got on the end of a Sam Adekugbe pass before taking a pair of touches to get away from the defenders. He curled a shot around the rushing Bermuda goalie to make it 3-0.

Bermuda pulled one back in the 63rd minute, as Kane Crichlow took advantage of an error by Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan. Borjan dropped a cross from Bermuda’s right wing, and Crichlow pounced to slide it into the net.

Not content with two goals, Larin completed his hat trick in the 69th minute. After yet another pass from Davies in their prolific match together, Larin made no mistake from the edge of the six-yard box.

To put the icing on the cake, Theo Corbeanu, making his Canada debut, tapped home Canada’s fifth and final goal in the 81st minute. After a sneaky run and low cross from Liam Millar, Corbeanu slid it into the goal before sprinting away in celebration.

It was a dream debut for the 18-year-old, in a game where 38-year-old Atiba Hutchinson moved into sole possession of second on the all-time appearances leaderboard for Canada with cap number 85.

The 5-1 victory sees them move to the top of Group B in this World Cup Qualifying campaign.

Canada’s next game comes on Sunday afternoon against the Cayman Island as Canada look to qualify for their first World Cup since 1986. It kicks off at 4 pm and can be watched on OneSoccer.