Canada advances to knockout stage at FIFA World Cup
History made on home soil. We clinch a spot in the Round of 32 while the focus shifts to a blockbuster knockout clash with South Africa in Los Angeles.
By Daniel Squizzato of the Canadian Olympic Committee
For the first time ever, the Canadian men’s national team has reached the knockout stage at the FIFA World Cup.
While a 2-1 loss to Switzerland at Vancouver’s BC Place on Wednesday wasn’t the ideal result, the team has still done enough to finish second in Group B. It means advancement to the tournament’s Round of 32, the latest bit of history for head coach Jesse Marsch’s team at this tournament.
First was a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada’s first-ever point at a senior men’s FIFA World Cup. Then came the 6-0 trouncing of Qatar for the nation’s first-ever win in the competition.
Though Canada came up just short on Wednesday, Marsch said it provides good experience for the team in putting together complete performances in big games against quality opponents.
“We’re going to be in the knockout phase, which is exactly where we wanted to be,” he said. “We still have a massive opportunity ahead of us.”
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Marsch made two changes to his starting lineup to face Switzerland, both in central midfield. Nathan Saliba and Mathieu Choinière came in for Stephen Eustáquio (who was dealing with muscle tightness) and the injured Ismaël Koné.
The jam-packed stadium was filled with visual tributes to Koné, with fans displaying 8s (his jersey number) in various forms. He also received a loud ovation during warm-up when he came out to field level in a wheelchair.
In Eustáquio’s absence, striker Jonathan David — fresh off a hat trick against Qatar — wore the captain’s armband.
It was a tight, physical first half but there was no score at the halftime break. The closest either team came was an 11th-minute breakthrough by the Swiss that produced a terrific save from Maxime Crépeau.
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But the game’s dynamic changed within the first minute after the break. Switzerland got behind the Canadian defence and Ruben Vargas scored from close range to put the visitors up 1-0.
The Swiss got their second goal on the counterattack 10 minutes later, with Johan Manzambi finding the back of the net.
Canada got one back in spectacular fashion in the 75th minute. A great touch and pass from Saliba led to a goal from Promise David, who’d only entered the match a few minutes earlier.
The sold-out BC Place crowd loudly urged Canada forward as the game entered its dying minutes. But despite creating several half-chances, the Canadians couldn’t find the equalizing goal.
“On another day, maybe we’re able to get the equalizer,” said Marsch. “We so desperately wanted to continue being here and continue the momentum that has been built around the team and around the tournament in the country.
“We came up a little short, and that’s unfortunate. But again, we’re in the knockout round.”
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Had Canada managed a draw against Switzerland, their next match would have been back at BC Place on July 2.
As it stands, though, Canada’s Round of 32 match will be played on Sunday at noon PT / 3 pm ET at Los Angeles Stadium. Their opponent will be South Africa, courtesy of a somewhat surprising 1-0 win over South Korea on Wednesday night.
The knockout rounds consist of single-elimination matches that must have a winner. A level score after 90 minutes means extra time and, if required, a penalty shootout.
The winner of Canada’s Round of 32 match will move on to the Round of 16, while the losing team is eliminated.