Davies scores twice, Canada tops Curacao in CONCACAF Nations League play

Alphonso Davies made a dramatic return to B.C. Place on Thursday night.

Playing his first game in Vancouver since October 2018, the superstar midfielder scored twice, powering the Canadian men's soccer team to a decisive 4-0 win over Curacao to open their CONCACAF Nations League campaign.

"Coming back to the stadium for training, the memories came back to me and I was excited," said Davies, who drew international awe as a teenager playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 'Caps transferred him to German soccer giant Bayern Munich in a $22-million US deal in July 2018.

The victory followed a week that saw the Canadian players miss two training sessions and refuse to play a friendly game against Panama in Vancouver due to an ongoing contract dispute.

"That was a dominant performance, I think, from our lads," said head coach John Herdman. "Really proud of them, given everything that's gone on the last few days, for them to come out with that sort of intent. Yeah, really impressed."

WATCH | Alphonso Davies leads way in return to national team:

Steven Victoria and Lucas Cavallini also scored for the 38th-ranked Canadians, who outshot the visitors 22-5 and 9-0 in shots on target.

It was a quiet night for Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who did not have to make a single save. Eloy Room made five stops for No. 79 Curacao.

Canada continues its Nations League play on Monday when they take on No. 82 Honduras in San Pedro Sula.

The home side was dominant from start to finish on Thursday.

Davies opened the scoring in the 27th minute after being hauled down inside the penalty area by Jurien Gaari.

The 21-year-old Canadian stepped up to take the kick, composing himself with a deep breath before sending a low rolling shot into the