by Craig Laycock
Original article:
South Africa 0 - 1 Canada
S. Eustaquio (90 +2)
Canada snatched a goal in the closing minutes of the match to secure a famous win for the co-hosts that saw them progress to the last 16 for the first time in history.
When the knock-out games come around, they tend to fall into one of two categories: cagey and nervy, or free-flowing all-out football. This match was definitely in the former category as the sides struggled to find clear-cut chances.
South Africa never looked as comfortable as they did in Group A, where they produced a couple of energetic displays.
Here they looked a little more like a team with the intent of taking their opposition the distance, perhaps wary of the slightly more partisan crowd (even though Canada surrendered their true home advantage by virtue of their second placed finish in Group B).
In a game characterised by a hugely disappointing lack of xG, the best chance of the game came from Canada’s Moise Bombito, whose header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba.
Marsch was later enraged by the decision to not award a penalty to his side after a tackle on Richie Laryea. Canada then had a further chance with Jonathan David coming close only to be denied by the block of Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
And then late in the game, in the second minute of added time, Stephen Eustaquio delivered the goods for Canada, with a moment for the national scrapbook as he hit a low shot that found the back of the net and gave Canada an incredible victory.
To go from never winning a World Cup match before this tournament, to qualifying from their group and winning in the last 32 is a huge achievement for Canada, but they now face a daunting task: to beat either Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16, with both sides in great form in this competition so far.
But football is a funny old game, and Canada have shown they have what it takes to hang in there. Maybe, just maybe, this is a year where one of the hosts can go deep into the competition. And who says it can’t be Canada?
5 min read
South Africa 0 - 1 Canada
S. Eustaquio (90 +2)
Canada snatched a goal in the closing minutes of the match to secure a famous win for the co-hosts that saw them progress to the last 16 for the first time in history.
When the knock-out games come around, they tend to fall into one of two categories: cagey and nervy, or free-flowing all-out football. This match was definitely in the former category as the sides struggled to find clear-cut chances.
South Africa never looked as comfortable as they did in Group A, where they produced a couple of energetic displays.
Here they looked a little more like a team with the intent of taking their opposition the distance, perhaps wary of the slightly more partisan crowd (even though Canada surrendered their true home advantage by virtue of their second placed finish in Group B).
In a game characterised by a hugely disappointing lack of xG, the best chance of the game came from Canada’s Moise Bombito, whose header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba.
Marsch was later enraged by the decision to not award a penalty to his side after a tackle on Richie Laryea. Canada then had a further chance with Jonathan David coming close only to be denied by the block of Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
And then late in the game, in the second minute of added time, Stephen Eustaquio delivered the goods for Canada, with a moment for the national scrapbook as he hit a low shot that found the back of the net and gave Canada an incredible victory.
To go from never winning a World Cup match before this tournament, to qualifying from their group and winning in the last 32 is a huge achievement for Canada, but they now face a daunting task: to beat either Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16, with both sides in great form in this competition so far.
But football is a funny old game, and Canada have shown they have what it takes to hang in there. Maybe, just maybe, this is a year where one of the hosts can go deep into the competition. And who says it can’t be Canada?
Last 32: Canada beat South Africa to progress
Marsching on.
Original article:
South Africa 0 - 1 Canada
S. Eustaquio (90 +2)
Canada snatched a goal in the closing minutes of the match to secure a famous win for the co-hosts that saw them progress to the last 16 for the first time in history.
When the knock-out games come around, they tend to fall into one of two categories: cagey and nervy, or free-flowing all-out football. This match was definitely in the former category as the sides struggled to find clear-cut chances.
South Africa never looked as comfortable as they did in Group A, where they produced a couple of energetic displays.
Here they looked a little more like a team with the intent of taking their opposition the distance, perhaps wary of the slightly more partisan crowd (even though Canada surrendered their true home advantage by virtue of their second placed finish in Group B).
In a game characterised by a hugely disappointing lack of xG, the best chance of the game came from Canada’s Moise Bombito, whose header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba.
Marsch was later enraged by the decision to not award a penalty to his side after a tackle on Richie Laryea. Canada then had a further chance with Jonathan David coming close only to be denied by the block of Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
And then late in the game, in the second minute of added time, Stephen Eustaquio delivered the goods for Canada, with a moment for the national scrapbook as he hit a low shot that found the back of the net and gave Canada an incredible victory.
To go from never winning a World Cup match before this tournament, to qualifying from their group and winning in the last 32 is a huge achievement for Canada, but they now face a daunting task: to beat either Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16, with both sides in great form in this competition so far.
But football is a funny old game, and Canada have shown they have what it takes to hang in there. Maybe, just maybe, this is a year where one of the hosts can go deep into the competition. And who says it can’t be Canada?
5 min read
Last 32: Canada beat South Africa to progress
Marsching on.
South Africa 0 - 1 Canada
S. Eustaquio (90 +2)
Canada snatched a goal in the closing minutes of the match to secure a famous win for the co-hosts that saw them progress to the last 16 for the first time in history.
When the knock-out games come around, they tend to fall into one of two categories: cagey and nervy, or free-flowing all-out football. This match was definitely in the former category as the sides struggled to find clear-cut chances.
South Africa never looked as comfortable as they did in Group A, where they produced a couple of energetic displays.
Here they looked a little more like a team with the intent of taking their opposition the distance, perhaps wary of the slightly more partisan crowd (even though Canada surrendered their true home advantage by virtue of their second placed finish in Group B).
In a game characterised by a hugely disappointing lack of xG, the best chance of the game came from Canada’s Moise Bombito, whose header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba.
Marsch was later enraged by the decision to not award a penalty to his side after a tackle on Richie Laryea. Canada then had a further chance with Jonathan David coming close only to be denied by the block of Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
And then late in the game, in the second minute of added time, Stephen Eustaquio delivered the goods for Canada, with a moment for the national scrapbook as he hit a low shot that found the back of the net and gave Canada an incredible victory.
To go from never winning a World Cup match before this tournament, to qualifying from their group and winning in the last 32 is a huge achievement for Canada, but they now face a daunting task: to beat either Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16, with both sides in great form in this competition so far.
But football is a funny old game, and Canada have shown they have what it takes to hang in there. Maybe, just maybe, this is a year where one of the hosts can go deep into the competition. And who says it can’t be Canada?
5 min read