Kevin de Bruyne claims he 'does NOT know why he was named Man of the Match' in 1-0 win against Canada as the midfielder admits Belgium 'did not play a good game' in the Group F clash
- Belgium edged a 1-0 win over Canada in its World Cup opener on Wednesday
- Alphonso Davies failed to score Canada's first World Cup goal from the spot
- Belgian goalkeeper Thibault Courtois saved the Canada star's penalty effort
- Michy Batshuayi half-volleyed the ball into the net to clinch the only goal
- But neither Belgium's goalscorer or goalsaver were named Man of the Match
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Belgium star Kevin de Bruyne did not understand why he was awarded Man of the Match following his team's 1-0 win against Canada.
De Bruyne and Co. narrowly beat the Canadians in their World Cup opener in Group F on Wednesday.
It was a frustrating defeat for the Maple Leafs as they dominated the game game but failed to take advantage of a penalty as Alphonso Davies' effort from the spot was saved by Thibault Courtois.
![Belgium star Kevin de Bruyne did not understand why he was awarded Man of the Match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/22/64880595-0-image-a-1_1669243738166.jpg)
Belgium star Kevin de Bruyne did not understand why he was awarded Man of the Match
![Michy Batshuayi spoiled the Canadian party with a lethal half-volley which became the winner](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/22/64874067-0-Michy_Batshuayi_spoiled_the_Canadian_party_with_a_lethal_half_vo-m-5_1669244046382.jpg)
Michy Batshuayi spoiled the Canadian party with a lethal half-volley which became the winner
![Alphonso Davies had chance to score Canada's first World Cup goal but missed a penalty](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/21/64876433-11457981-image-a-3_1669237907958.jpg)
Alphonso Davies had chance to score Canada's first World Cup goal but missed a penalty
Belgium was almost steamrollered by a team intent on pressing the life out of them but was rescued by an otherwise ineffectual Michy Batshuayi as he half-volleyed the ball into the back of the net to clinch the only goal of the game.
However, it was neither Belgium's goalscorer or goalsaver that was granted the honor of being named Man of the Match.
Instead, it was De Bruyne who had some lovely driving runs from deep but too often his final pass or shot resulted in nothing.
And even the midfielder himself was shocked at being given the award.
In a postgame press conference, De Bruyne admitted: 'We didn't play well enough as a team. I do not know why I won man of the match, maybe because of my name.
![De Bruyne who had some lovely driving runs but his final pass or shot resulted in nothing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/22/64880757-0-image-a-3_1669243979310.jpg)
De Bruyne who had some lovely driving runs but his final pass or shot resulted in nothing
![Speaking in a press conference postgame, the midfielder appeared shocked at being MOTM](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/22/64880547-0-image-a-2_1669243743298.jpg)
Speaking in a press conference postgame, the midfielder appeared shocked at being MOTM
'Credit to Canada. We could not get through their press, we did not play a good game today, me included but we found a way to win.'
Following the result, Roberto Martinez's team top the table in Group F after Morocco and Croatia shared the spoils in the earlier game Thursday.
Belgium faces Morocco next, while the Canadians will look to bounce back against Croatia as the search for their first-ever World Cup goal.
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