Brazil inflicts Canada's 1st loss at World Cup in 2nd-round opener

Brazil stunned Canada 69-65 in their FIBA World Cup second-round opener Friday. It's the Canadians' first loss of the tournament after victories in their first three games.

Bruno Caboclo, a former first-round pick by the NBA's Toronto Raptors, led Brazil in points and rebounds with 19 and 13, respectively, while also recording three blocks and two steals.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Canadians in scoring for the second straight game, pouring in 23 points plus five rebounds and two assists.

With the score tied at 60, Brazilian guard Yago Santos hit back-to-back layups to give the South Americans a four-point advantage with 26 seconds remaining. A subsequent turnover by Canadian wing Lu Dort led to two made free throws by forward Gui Santos, effectively sealing the win for Brazil despite a made three by RJ Barrett with a second left - his only made field goal of the encounter.

Brazil used a 8-2 run in the first three minutes of the fourth to erase a seven-point deficit heading into the final quarter, which opened with a technical foul on Dort.

After a slow start to the game complete with difficulties matching up against Brazil's size, Canada seemed to find its footing, entering the second quarter down by three. Led by Gilgeous-Alexander's nine points in the frame, the Canadians outscored Brazil 24-11 in the second to take a 10-point lead at the half, though it was the only quarter they won Friday.

Canada now needs to beat Spain in its next match to progress to the quarterfinals. A defeat would knock Jordi Fernandez's squad out of medal contention and Canada would likely fall short of an Olympics qualifying bid for the Americas region. However, defending World Cup champion Spain will also be fighting for a victory to stay alive after an upset loss to Latvia earlier Friday.