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When Alphonso Davies headed in Tajon Buchanan’s pinpoint cross simply 68 seconds into yesterday’s match vs. Croatia, he gave Canada extra than simply its first-ever males’s World Cup objective — he opened up the nation’s creativeness. 4 days earlier, Canadians had watched their upstart squad outplay second-ranked Belgium in an unjust 1-0 loss. And now it had taken barely a minute to seize the lead on the 2018 World Cup runner-up. What else was this Canadian staff able to? Might it upset No. 12 Croatia for its first-ever World Cup win? Advance out of its group? Win a match within the knockout spherical? For a second, virtually something appeared doable.
It did not final, in fact. Over the following half hour, it grew to become painfully apparent that the Croatians have been working on a better airplane. Powered by a dominant midfield, they started selecting Canada aside till the inevitable-seeming equalizer discovered the online within the thirty sixth minute. By halftime it was 2-1, and the competition just about ended when ahead Andrej Kramaric scored his second objective of the match within the seventieth minute. The 4-1 remaining rating appeared dangerous. However it felt prefer it may have been even worse. Canada acquired schooled. And acquired the boot. With their second loss in two matches, the Canadians grew to become the second staff within the match (after interloping host Qatar) to be mathematically eradicated from competition for the knockout stage.
That is a kick within the enamel, for certain. However there’s rather a lot to be grateful for. That is all gravy, bear in mind? Again in June 2021, Canadian soccer followers have been fairly fired up simply to have overwhelmed Haiti to advance to the ultimate spherical of CONCACAF qualifying for the primary time since 1998. The staff appeared promising, however nobody at the moment dreamed Canada’s path would lead all the way in which to Qatar. An inexpensive goal was to place up a superb battle and lay the groundwork for 2026. By then, possibly the younger core of Davies (nonetheless solely 22 at this time) Jonathan David (additionally 22) and Stephen Eustaquio (25) would kind the muse of a viable World Cup staff when Canada co-hosts with america and Mexico.
As a substitute, we witnessed a quantum leap as Canada surpassed these conventional regional powers to complete atop the CONCACAF qualifying desk and earn its first World Cup berth in 36 years. Any fears that this rising however inexperienced squad can be embarrassed on sports activities’ greatest stage disappeared final week after they pushed Belgium to the restrict, proving to the world that Canada belongs right here. Then, yesterday, we acquired to witness the nation’s first-ever males’s World Cup objective. Positive, issues fell other than there, however not even the humbling blowout defeat to Croatia can take that second away. It is a part of Canadian sports activities historical past now. And a window to an thrilling future.
Oh, and this staff is not fairly finished but. Canada will play its remaining match of the Qatar World Cup on Thursday at 10 a.m. ET vs. Morocco. There’s nonetheless one thing to play for: a win or draw would give Canada its first-ever level(s) in a males’s World Cup. It will be a troublesome job towards a shocking Moroccan staff that is tied for prime spot within the group after incomes a draw vs. Croatia after which defeating shaky Belgium 2-0 yesterday. Learn extra in regards to the Canada-Morocco matchup right here.
As we speak’s World Cup outcomes:
Title favorite Brazil grew to become the second staff to advance to the knockout stage (after defending champion France) by beating Switzerland 1-0 on a late objective by Casemiro. The five-time champs have been with out celebrity ahead Neymar and defender Danilo, each out with ankle accidents suffered in Brazil’s opening 2-0 win over Serbia. It is nonetheless unclear when (or even when) Neymar will return on this match. Learn CBC Sports activities soccer correspondent Chris Jones’ story on the sensible Brazilians right here.
Portugal additionally booked a spot within the subsequent spherical by beating Uruguay 2-0. Bruno Fernandes scored twice within the second half, together with a late penalty kick that sealed the victory.
Elsewhere, Serbia and Cameroon performed to a 3-3 draw whereas Ghana defeated South Korea 3-2. Learn extra about at this time’s matches right here.
Tomorrow’s matches:
It is crunch time now as we transfer into the third and remaining group-stage match for every staff. Tuesday’s contests are Ecuador vs. Senegal (10 a.m. ET), the Netherlands vs. Qatar (10 a.m. ET), Iran vs. america (2 p.m. ET) and Wales vs. England (2 p.m. ET).
Iran vs. the U.S. is the one to observe for a wide range of causes. The Iranians sit second in Group B with three factors — one forward of the Individuals, who want a win or they’re out. A draw will in all probability get Iran by means of, barring a Wales upset of group chief England. The Iran-U.S. contest can be politically charged after the U.S. Soccer Federation displayed the Iranian flag on social media with out the symbol of the Islamic Republic. The American staff mentioned it had no half within the transfer, which the us mentioned was made to indicate “help for the ladies in Iran preventing for primary human rights.” Iran filed a criticism with FIFA whereas a state-aligned information company known as for the U.S. to be kicked out of the match. Learn extra in regards to the controversy right here.
