Canada have reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time after beating South Africa with a late winner, continuing what has been a remarkable tournament for the co-hosts. Jesse Marsch hailed his players as “Canadian heroes” after the victory, adding: “The future of the sport in this country is huge because of you.”
The win carries extra significance given Canada’s record heading into the tournament — played six, lost six — making even their opening draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina a historic result. Back-to-back positive outcomes have now secured a place in the knockout rounds for the first time.
Marsch took charge two years ago with a stated goal of shifting the culture around the game in Canada. That ambition once seemed far-fetched in a country where ice hockey commands the greatest devotion, but the mood appears to be shifting. “It is starting to become known as football now, not soccer,” one fan told BBC Sport ahead of the South Africa match.
Captain Alphonso Davies, accustomed to playing in front of large crowds for Bayern Munich and in the Champions League, said he was moved by the scenes at Canada’s opening game against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto. “It was surreal because I’ve never seen so many Canadians at a football match before,” he said. Thousands filled fan zones across the country to watch their national team.
Canada entered this World Cup as something of a forgotten co-host, with Mexico staging the tournament’s opener and the USA set to host the final drawing far greater attention in the build-up. Quietly, though, the Canadians have built momentum on and off the pitch — and a place in the last 16 is the reward.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
