Canada forward Alphonso Davies (19) plays the ball in front of Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (7) during second half Group F World Cup soccer action at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
TORONTO – The Canada-Belgium World Cup soccer game garnered plenty of attention on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.’s Proline betting service.
The OLG said Thursday the World Cup contest was Proline’s highest overall wagered event Wednesday of any sport. It has also so far been the highest wagered game of the World Cup and did more volume than the day’s other three games combined.
Belgium defeated the Canadian team 1-0. Canada is appearing in only its second World Cup and first since ’86.
According the OLG, 46 per cent of the wagers were placed on Canada to win, while 36 per cent were placed on the Belgians. A draw was favoured by 19 per cent of betters.
Belgium came into the World Cup ranked second in the world while Canada was at No. 41 globally.
The over/under betting was very one-sided with 85 per cent of wagers coming in on the over 2.5 goals.
The any-time goal-scorer market saw the most money on Canada’s best player, Alphonso Davies with 31 per cent of all bets (among 30 players). Michy Batshuayi, who had the game’s only goal, had six per cent all bets.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 24, 2022.
