All it took was for Alphonso Davies to get up off the bench and do a couple of high knees.
In a moment where his team was looking lost for ideas, Canadian fans at Los Angeles Stadium found their voice because they saw their best player and one of the best wide players in the world warming up and had hope that help would soon be on the way.
By the time Davies received the captain’s armband from Stephen Eustáquio and entered the pitch, that hope within the fan base had quickly ascended to swagger and confidence from his teammates.
From the 75th minute, Canada looked the much better team and it was Davies who had South Africa quaking in their boots. Jonathan David, perhaps out of respect for his opponent, refrained from calling them scared but that’s what it looked like.
“I think he immediately changed the game,” David said of Davies’ impact. “I wouldn’t say scared but they were a bit hesitant, gave us more space to play. We were on the front foot again and we started to create danger again, so, he gave us a really, really good boost.”
Davies may not have been involved in Eustáquio’s match-winner, but it was his skill and bravado that seemed to spur on his teammates to greater heights.
At a World Cup, every world class player is like a pot of gold. At the club level, you can pay up and pack your squad with them if you’ve got enough in the kitty. Just ask Manchester City. At the international level, there are no transfer windows.
When Davies stepped on the pitch, he was the only player of 22 to have played and won a Champions League final. He was also the only one to have been named to a FIFPRO World 11 (2020), a selection of the best players in the world for a particular year. He may have only been on the pitch for 20 minutes including added time, but the manner in which he swung the contest illustrated what a difference that level of talent can make.
Davies’ instant impact
Davies’ first touch came in the 76th minute, when Eustáquio clipped the ball over to him on the left side. He took one dribble with his left foot, another with his right as he surveyed what was in front of him. South Africa’s Khulisa Mudau steadily backed away fearing the worst, Teboho Mokoena sensed the same and scurried over to offer help. With time and space, he then raked in a low cross to the front of the semicircle that found Jonathan David, who needed one touch to tee up Promise David.
P. David had Jacob Shaffelburg open to his right, but the predatory instincts of a true striker kicked in and he went for goal. His shot drifted just wide of the left post. Three touches from Davies and Canada knew Bafana Bafana was at his mercy.
For his second act, just a minute later, Richie Laryea skipped the ball over to him frantically as a Thapelo Maseko closed him down. Both Mudau and Mokoena rushed towards him. With one left-footed touch, he left Mudau in his dust. Then came a magical 360 pirouetting around Mokoena. With nothing presenting itself in front of him, Davies calmed matters with an assured pass to central defender Luc de Fougerolles.
It was a moment that left you giddy someone this talented at the world’s biggest sport was wearing a Canadian jersey. It’s easy to forget he’s still only 25 years old.
“When Alphonso comes in, it’s a big boost for the team,” Eustáquio said. “He’s one of the best players, one of the best left-backs in the world, the best player we have on our team. Obviously, when he comes in, we knew that he’s healthy to push
“The group pushed to make the knockout rounds to have the possibility of him playing so I’m very happy that he’s back.”
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Alphonso Davies #19 of Canada runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Emilee Chinn via Getty Images)
Only another minute was needed for Davies to strike again. Derek Cornelius had only just received a pass from Niko Sigur just inside Canada’s half when Davies immediately recognized the space he was being afforded, raised his hands, and screamed for the ball. Cornelius obliged.
Maseko and Mudau quickly crowded Davies. He recognized Eustaquio in space and moved the ball over with a left-footed pass. When Maseko hurried over to Eustaquio, the man who ultimately ended up being Canada’s hero swiftly switched the play back over to Davies.
Maseko stuck with Eustaquio and Davies sensed his moment. One dribble, two dribbles, a shimmy, and a shake to the right that forced Sphephelo Sithole to come help and this time Davies found Jonathan Davies in space with a deft pass. David turned, took a couple touches to his left and fired with power. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was up to the task at his near post.
No let-up in Davies’ leadership
INGLEWOOD, CA – JUNE 28: Canada head coach Jesse Marsch reacts as Alphonso Davies #19 of Canada attempts to pull him back during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
(Robin Alam/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
While Davies looked more human thereafter as his lack of burst was evident in trying to blow by South Africa’s defenders 1-on-1, the ways in which he’s grown off the pitch were on full display. In one moment, he was seen barking instructions at Promise David, in another he was pushing Jesse Marsch back to his technical area after getting a little too enthusiastic. He gestured towards the team on how to play compact through the middle first before going out wide, then urged them forward.
South Africa finished with 58 percent possession for the match but Canada had over 60 percent of possession after Davies came on. In a match that was tied 0-0, it’s possible Marsch knew Davies only had around 45 minutes to give and was factoring in the possibility of playing extra time. 15 minutes of the final 90 plus 30 minutes of extra time would have put him at 45 before a potential penalty shootout.
Davies now has a week to recover and ramp up to July 4 against Netherlands or Morocco. Does that get him to a level where he can give 60 minutes? 75? 90? That’s something Marsch and the medical staff will determine alongside the peering eyes of Bayern Munich.
The calculus changes with each of those marks, too. Starting him for 60 minutes means losing him for potentially the final half hour and extra time. If he’s good for 75 minutes, it’s a similar debate and deliberation over whether he’s better off starting or coming on at halftime and playing the rest of the way. If he can give you 90, which seems extremely unlikely, then he has to start.
What’s clear is that Canada finally has its trump card, a player who can have a case for being the best player on the pitch on his day going up against either Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk or Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.
Canada is in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, daring to dream because they have a player in Davies who makes the wildest outcome next Saturday suddenly seem possible.