Canada managed to get the victory – qualification against the “fighting” South Africa with 1-0 and “golden” scorer Eustakios in the delays of the match! In the round of 16 of the World Cup, the Canadians will face the winner of the Netherlands-Morocco match.
South Africa and Canada were in the “32” of the World Cup for the first time, but with their performance on the grass of the Los Angeles Stadium they made everyone wonder how they progressed in the competition.
The South Africans knew that the fast pace worked for the organizers. They played defense and tried to threaten the opposition with deep balls. In fact, several times the Canadian fans disapproved of the way the game was played.
As a result of South Africa’s style of play, Canada actually threatened for the first time in the 44th minute. From a corner kick, Bobbito got a header, Mondimba pushed over the line and Buchanan’s shot was beaten by the opposing goalkeeper on the rebound.
The team of Hugo Bros did not change tactics in the second half and created the first good chance in the 62nd minute with a missed shot by Apolis. Three minutes later it was Canada’s turn for the biggest chance of the match up to that point. Olusawegi went on the counter, Williams beat him and Ebokazi headed home at the last minute for a corner.
In the 76th minute came the moment that all Canadians were waiting for. Alphonso Davies made his debut in the World Cup and with his entry he helped to create dangerous moments in the frames of Williams.
Where it looked like the two teams would go to extra time, a mistake by the South African defense came to make it 0-1 in favor of the hosts. After a nice combination of three football players who had come on as a substitute for Canada, the defense did not clear properly and Eustaquios with a terrible shot from outside the area gave the ticket to the organizers!
South Africa (Ugo Bros): Williams, Mondiba, Ebokazi, Mudau, Okon, Mokoena, Maseko (86′ Moremi, Sithole, Apolis, Mofokeng (46′ Batha), Makgopa (86′ Rainers).
Canada (Jesse Marsh): Crepo, Johnston, Cornelius, Bobbito (59′ Fuzerol), Saliba (59′ Sigur), Laria, Eustaquio, J. David, Millar (70′ Suffelberg), Oluwasegi (70′ P. David), Buchanan (75′ Davies).
athletiko.gr