World Cup 2022: Alphonso Davies scores Canada’s first goal at a finals in loss to Croatia

Former England defender Martin Keown said on BBC One: “Alphonso Davies’ pace is stunning. When he wins the ball he travels with such pace. I’ve seen him play centre-forward for Canada. They see him as their Gareth Bale.

“Davies really is an incredible player. Canada just need two or three of him on the pitch.”

Canada have four years to unearth some more players of Davies’ quality before they co-host the 2026 tournament alongside the USA and Mexico.

Boss Herdman said: “We have young lads who have grown up through Canada and they showed they can compete.

“These players can really believe they are in the right direction for 2026.”

Davies, though, may feel a sense of regret. Despite scoring the quickest goal of this World Cup so far against Croatia, his missed penalty against Belgium at 0-0 in the opener proved crucial as Canada went on to lose 1-0.

They round off Group F against unbeaten Morocco next Thursday, hoping they can end this campaign on a high as they look forward to the next one.