Canada’s World Cup run turns a co-host into a contender

Canada have reached the World Cup last 16 after defeating South Africa in a knockout match, with Stephen Eustaquio scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time. The result is Canada’s first win in a World Cup knockout game and extends a tournament that has already reset expectations around the team.

Before this World Cup, Canada had never earned a point at the tournament. That changed with a draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, followed by a 6-0 win over Qatar that secured their first World Cup victory and helped carry them into the knockout rounds.

Jesse Marsch used the post-match huddle to underline the scale of the moment for his squad, presenting the run as more than a sporting result. Alphonso Davies has also spoken about the emotional impact of seeing large Canadian crowds, particularly in Toronto, as support around the team has grown during the tournament.

Canada’s role as a co-host has sometimes been overshadowed by Mexico and the United States, but the team’s progress has given the country its own defining storyline. Their next match will be against either the Netherlands or Morocco, a much tougher test but also another chance to measure how far this group has come.