For Canada, it was a glass half-full, half-empty return

‘In each of the three games, I think we’ve had something to celebrate’

The Canadian men leave the World Cup with “our heads up,” according to coach John Herdman. They also exit the world stage without a win, at the bottom of Group F and the second team to be eliminated.

It’s been a glass half-full, halfempty return to the tournament after a 36-year absence.

The draw was not kind to the 41stranked Canadians, pitting them against No. 2 Belgium, No. 12 Croatia and No. 22 Morocco.

There was plenty of class in Group F and it showed against Canada, in some games sooner than later.

Herdman’s squad impressed against Belgium, rocking the Red Devils with an aggressive press and pacy attack. Canada deserved to get something out of the match, and could have if not for Thibaut Courtois saving an Alphonso Davies penalty.

The lustre on that shiny opening showing was tarnished somewhat as the Belgians went into a nosedive in their next two games, however.

Davies redeemed himself with a historic goal 68 seconds into the next game against Croatia, capping a simple yet elegant tic-tac-toe play from goalkeeper Milan Borjan to Cyle Larin to Tajon Buchanan, whose lofted cross found Davies’ head as the Bayern Munich star soared through the air.

The Croatian midfield of Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) and Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan) arrived at the tournament with 27 World Cup games under their combined belt already.

They kept their heads after conceding early and began to probe a subpar Canadian midfield, with Stephen Eustaquio nursing a sore hamstring and captain Atiba Hutchinson only recently back from a long injury layoff.

The Croatian midfield maestros found cracks that eventually led to a string of goals, putting an end to Canada’s hopes of advancing at the tournament.

Facing a motivated Morocco, the Canadians saw firsthand what happens when you make mistakes against quality opposition. You get punished.

Canada trailed 2-0 after 23 minutes but rallied after Herdman, whose head-turning tactical switches were worthy of “The Exorcist,” made a string of substitutions at the hour mark.

“In each of the three games, I think we’ve had something to celebrate … We’re a young team. We’re developing,” a positive Herdman said after the Morocco match. “And it’s been a hell of an experience.”

Herdman used 19 players at the tournament, with 15 figuring in the starting lineup. Six started all three games: Borjan, Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Buchanan and Davies.

Seven players, including the two backup goalkeepers, did not see game action.

Buchanan leaves the tournament as perhaps the Canadian with the most enhanced reputation. The 23year-old winger/wingback from Belgium’s Club Brugge is elusive and exciting, the kind of attacker that defenders don’t want to see coming their way.

It was only fitting that Davies, a world-class talent, ended Canada’s drought at the men’s tournament. One wonders what he could do if Canada gave him one position and told him to go cause havoc instead of moving him around the field like it was a checkerboard.

Eustaquio, when healthy, is the straw that stirs the midfield drink. And at Portuguese club Porto, he is getting Champions League football — the kind of elite competition that helps prepare for the world stage.

Johnston, a fullback/wingback reportedly headed to Glasgow Celtic in the January transfer window, also impressed in Qatar.

“Now our players have been seen. Our coaching staff’s been seen,” said Herdman. “We know that people around the world are looking at this country saying, ‘Wow. They’ve got some good, young, talented players.’ ”

Exactly who Herdman, who is under contract through 2026, meant in the reference to the coaching staff is unclear.

We know that people around the world are looking at this country saying, ‘Wow. They’ve got some good, young, talented players.’

JOHN HERDMAN HEAD COACH FOR CANADA