Canada’s men’s national team’s first and second all-time goal scorers continued to push each other for top spot as forwards Cyle Larin and Jonathan David each netted goals in a 2-0 win over Curacao in Concacaf Nations League play. Here’s what you need to know:
- The win came in Canada’s first game since a disappointing appearance at the 2022 World Cup. Canada has six points after three matches in Concacaf Nations League action.
- David came within two of Larin with his 23rd goal for Canada in the 22nd minute. Canada wingback Richie Laryea waited out Curacao’s defenders before playing a well-purposed pass into David for a quick finish and Canada’s first goal.
- Larin continued his strong form with Real Valladolid in La Liga as well, showing his experience with a deft and powerful finish in the 43rd minute for his 26th goal for Canada. He remains the men’s national team’s all-time leading goal scorer.
- With the win, Canada has qualified for the 2023 Gold Cup. Canada is level on points with Honduras in their Nations League group but lead with a plus-5 goal differential. They need only a draw against Honduras on Mar. 28 in Toronto in the conclusion of the Nations League group stage to qualify for the June finals as group winners.
Backstory
Curacao, ranked 86th in the world according to FIFA, hardly presented the kind of challenge Canada, ranked 53rd, needs moving forward after the World Cup. Curacao went down to 10 men in the 37th minute when defender Jurien Gaari was shown his second yellow card.
Perhaps to be expected while playing together for the first time in over four months and on a questionable pitch, Canada’s attackers suffered from poor timing with their ball movement. A transition opportunity in the first half was stunted when David, Larin and Alphonso Davies didn’t play passes with the kind of precision they might have in 2022 World Cup qualifying.
Eventually, Canada found their rhythm with David’s opening goal.
That the visitors were able to defend responsibly and control the tempo of play was necessary, but Canada’s decisiveness in transition and with their chances close to goal began to lag in a low-event second half.
Canada kept an eye towards an all-important Mar. 28 match when they substituted Larin, David, Davies, Ismael Kone and Stephen Eustaquio off in the second half to keep relatively fresh.
Tajon Buchanan, Canada’s best player at the World Cup, was suffering from hamstring tightness coming into the match and made a surprise substitute appearance in the 78th minute. That he was able to come on for Canada bodes well for a possible start against Honduras.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
How important were Larin and David?
There are no two Canadian players who are in better form for their club sides than Larin and David. Since a January transfer to Real Valladolid in La Liga, Larin has been shot out of a cannon, netting five goals in eight La Liga appearances. At his best, Larin needs very little time and space to convert his chances, relying on his strength in tight spaces. His goal looked slightly awkward but was an example of that power.
David’s form is equally as sterling in Ligue 1. He is currently tied with French star Kylian Mbappe for the Ligue 1 lead with 19 goals and throughout the match against Curacao, he drifted back to find space and would often serve as a middle-man to link up play when needed.
Forwards can often run hot and cold with their finishing. Part of what sunk Canada at the World Cup in Qatar was their inability to finish the strong chances they generated. But the play of both Larin and David against Curacao bodes well for an all-important match against Honduras on Mar. 28.
Canada generated four shots on target to Curacao’s one shot on target.
Who else stood out for Canada?
With reliable right back Alistair Johnston serving a suspension, Canada moved to a back three. Centre-back Scott Kennedy played in his first match for Canada since Mar. 27, 2022. Kennedy spent time on the bench and with a shoulder injury that kept him out of the World Cup during that point, but in his return he was at his physical and pacey best.
Kennedy’s aggressiveness stood out. Seeing him not back down from Curacao forwards will do a lot to keep him in the Canada lineup throughout 2023.
Speaking of aggressiveness, Laryea’s energy and slick ball movement was a constant for Canada. He was arguably Canada’s best and most consistent player, playing in a wide role on the right side of the pitch.
Ismael Kone made just his third start for Canada. That he started over Atiba Hutchinson, the 40-year-old and all-time appearances leader for Canada, suggested a changing of the guard in the middle of the park.
Kone’s ball control in tight spaces helped Canada maintain possession. He moved from the centre to the right side of the pitch freely throughout the first half, though his game was far less noticeable in the second half.
What’s next for Canada?
A win or a draw against Honduras would be enough for Canada to gain a spot in the Nations League Finals in June as group winners. Based off Canada’s substitutions in the second half, it’s likely Canada rolls out their top starting XI.
“It’s a game we have to win,” David told local media in Curacao after the match.
The four group winners will meet in single-leg knockout matches in Las Vegas ahead of the Gold Cup beginning six days after the final. Internally, winning both the Nations League and the Gold Cup is a priority for this Canadian team in an effort to prove that their results in Qatar were not indicative of their intense, energetic performances.
Canada has to keep pace among the highest-ranked teams in Concacaf to gain a more favorable draw into the 2024 Copa America. Six Concacaf teams will gain entry into the tournament as a result of their play in the 2024 Concacaf Nations League and will have an opportunity to play against the best teams in South America. These tests are necessary for a Canadian side that won’t have qualifying games to help prepare them for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts.
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News Summary:
- Canada blanks Curaçao in Concacaf Nations League, qualifies for 2023 Gold Cup
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