{"id":777587,"date":"2026-07-03T12:09:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/777587\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T12:09:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:09:13","slug":"four-moments-small-margins-how-canada-scrapped-its-way-into-the-final-16-countries-at-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/777587\/","title":{"rendered":"Four moments, small margins: How Canada scrapped its way into the final 16 countries at the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Open this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n

Canadian players celebrate the win over South Africa in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday.Marcio Sanchez\/The Associated Press<\/p>\n

Three weeks ago, on a shining afternoon that promised the country\u2019s first World Cup<\/a> win, at home in Toronto in front of 43,000 fanatics, disaster loomed.<\/p>\n

At halftime, the 26 players on Team Canada regrouped to rally in their locker room, down 1-0 to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Forty-five minutes remained in a match Canada had clearly been favoured to win.<\/p>\n

The players, a group that celebrates the brotherhood they\u2019ve forged, urged each other on.<\/p>\n

Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9 leaned back. The keystone midfielder spoke more quietly.<\/p>\n

He had arrived in Canada from Ivory Coast in 2010 at age seven, his mother seeking a better life for the two. On the pitch, his teammates call him Hollywood. He eats pancakes before games. He has a loose and generous personality. As he starts warming up for a match, he touches the grass and takes a moment to pray. Before the World Cup, when CTV asked him the best way to deal with pressure, Kon\u00e9 stared back: \u201cFace it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Facing the prospect of a terrible loss against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kon\u00e9 in the locker room at halftime eschewed the usual rah-rah let\u2019s-go-get-\u2019em.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know we want to be positive and everything,\u201d he told his teammates, \u201cbut we\u2019re fucking up.\u201d <\/p>\n

In locker room footage later released by Canada Soccer, some faces revealed little. Eyes up, eyes down. But those eyes reflected the stakes. A children\u2019s game, all those hours \u2013 all those dreams \u2013 from boyhood to this crux. Everything before led here. <\/p>\n

Last Sunday, on a shining afternoon in Los Angeles, jubilation. Stephen Eust\u00e1quio scored for Canada.<\/p>\n

The 1-0 victory over South Africa propelled Canada into a soccer stratosphere on the beautiful game\u2019s premier stage: the final 16 countries at the World Cup. <\/p>\n

On Saturday, in Houston, Canada faces heavily favoured Morocco. <\/p>\n

From Toronto to Houston, this is a story of four moments. Of small margins. Those fractions of time when the game leans one way and suddenly goes another. Everything before led here. <\/p>\n

79th minute, June 12, Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina Open this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n

Cyle Larin scores Canada’s first goal of the tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.KEVIN SOUSA\/Reuters<\/p>\n

Toronto Stadium, the lakefront venue usually known as BMO Field, was festive and loud, almost everyone in Canadian red. In the upper south stands, a solid wall of blue-clad Bosnia-Herzegovina supporters bellowed in response. It felt special, like a home World Cup should. The atmosphere, however, turned nervy 21 minutes into the game. Bosnia-Herzegovina scored off a corner kick.<\/p>\n

Canada came out of the locker room after halftime on a mission but, yet again, the team squandered several chances to pull even. Time ticked away.<\/p>\n

Stalwart striker Cyle Larin languished on the sidelines. <\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s World Cup performance draws the attention of FIFA\u2019s technical study group<\/a><\/p>\n

An hour before the game, when the starting lineup was announced, coach Jesse Marsch surprised many by choosing Tani Oluwaseyi up front instead of Larin. Oluwaseyi offered more speed than Larin and he played well with his back to the goal, receiving passes and shielding the ball, allowing teammates to build the attack.<\/p>\n

While Larin waited, he stood ready. Fire burned inside. At halftime Marsch told the team Larin would be among the substitutes to redouble the final push.<\/p>\n

At six-foot-two and some 200 pounds, Larin is a force for defenders to contain. The sometimes mercurial 31 year old, among the older players on a young team, had arrived at the World Cup on a rich vein of form. He scored nine times in 22 matches for Southampton FC in England\u2019s second-highest league.<\/p>\n

Against Bosnia-Herzegovina, it was exactly what Canada, mired in a months-long scoring slump, needed. Yet Marsch, in a tactical gambit, had benched Larin.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 40 kilometres from Toronto Stadium to St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary in Brampton, where in the early 2010s Larin led the school to three straight provincial soccer titles. Later, Larin often played at BMO Field, for Canada, and in Major League Soccer. Orlando City in 2015 drafted him first overall and he won rookie of the year. The scorer-for-hire went on to play in Turkey, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands, before finding a home with Southampton this January.<\/p>\n

Marsch deployed Larin in the 76th minute. <\/p>\n

Kon\u00e9 triggered the final move, accelerating past defenders and sending the ball to Promise David, who deftly flicked it ahead to Larin. Stationed at the top of penalty box, 18 yards from the goal, the burly striker pivoted, outmuscled a defender and, the ball aloft on a small bounce, rifled a blast. <\/p>\n

Celebrating the score, Larin raced to the sidelines and plugged his ears. He kissed the maple leaf on his jersey. His teammates mobbed him and then, again, he plugged his ears, his eyes closed. A message to anyone and everyone who ever doubted him.<\/p>\n

Larin\u2019s 31st goal in 91 international appearances rescued Canada. It happened 126 seconds after he stepped on the pitch. The team has never lost when he\u2019s scored. <\/p>\n

Right after the game, he sounded more than well aware of that particular stat: \u201cI score when Canada needs me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crisis averted. Game on.<\/p>\n

51st minute, June 18, Canada vs. QatarOpen this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n

Ismael Kone waves to the crowd as he is stretchered off the field after an injury against Qatar in Vancouver on June 18.Emma Peterson\/The Canadian Press<\/p>\n

Everyone heard the bones snap.<\/p>\n

Six minutes into the second half, Canada\u2019s first World Cup win well in hand \u2013 up 3-0 against lowly ranked Qatar at a raucous BC Place Vancouver \u2013 the home team took a heavy blow. <\/p>\n

Kon\u00e9, in the offensive end, had just sent a pass back to midfield when Qatari Assim Madibo moved in for a late and rough tackle. It broke Kon\u00e9\u2019s left fibula and tibia. He immediately crumpled. The injury sparked anger, midfielder Richie Laryea\u2019s eyes bulging as he shouted in a regretful Madibo\u2019s face. The Qatari soon after apologized to Kon\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Greg Bay calmed the chaos<\/a>. In six minutes, Canada\u2019s medical team, led by Bay, stabilized Kon\u00e9\u2019s leg, got him on a stretcher and readied him for the ambulance parked under the stands to send him on the short trip up the hill to Vancouver General Hospital for surgery. For Bay and his team, all the noise faded away. Time slowed down.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou become,\u201d Bay told The Globe, \u201chyper-focused on your small world.\u201d <\/p>\n

Carried off the field, while taking draws on the self-administered anesthetic colloquially called \u201cthe green whistle,\u201d Kon\u00e9 sat upright on the stretcher. He waved to the crowd \u2013 and to his mother Suzanne Diomand\u00e9.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to let her know you\u2019re okay,\u201d team physician Dave Simon had told Kon\u00e9, as reported by the Athletic.<\/p>\n

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The match ended 6-0, a bittersweet rout, the country\u2019s first World Cup victory and the loss of team\u2019s centrifugal force. Two days before, the squad had celebrated Kon\u00e9\u2019s 24th birthday. The day after surgery, and the win, the team welcomed Kon\u00e9 back at their hotel near Stanley Park with cheers, hugs and intricate handshakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo my Canadian brothers,\u201d Kon\u00e9 wrote on Instagram. \u201cI [turn] myself into assistant coach to support you from the sideline.\u201d<\/p>\n

He punctuated that with the laughing-crying face emoji.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted you to know that I love you guys from the bottom of my heart and our brotherhood is everything to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

46th minute, June 24, Canada vs. SwitzerlandOpen this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n

Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas scores past Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau in Vancouver on June 24.Abbie Parr\/The Associated Press<\/p>\n

In the early seconds of the second half against Switzerland, tied at zero at BC Place Vancouver, Canada needing only a draw to secure homefield advantage for its first World Cup knockout round match, Rub\u00e9n Vargas drifted toward Canada\u2019s net. It was like he was on the field by himself, like the Canadians forgot he was even playing.<\/p>\n

Moments later, Vargas had the ball, wide open, eight yards from the goal. Point blank: 1-0 Switzerland. Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Cr\u00e9peau, in the first half, made a monumental save. This time, no chance. <\/p>\n

The defensive lapse was egregious. The TSN announcers called it \u201cthe worst possible start for Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n

A little more than 10 minutes later: 2-0 Switzerland. Another defensive breakdown. The home team, after scoring one as the clock inexorably marched to the final whistle, furiously tried to even the score but could not.<\/p>\n

The federal government, British Columbia and Ontario spent $1.1-billion to stage 13 World Cup games in Toronto and Vancouver. A lot of money. But it bought, potentially, homefield advantage in the knockout rounds of 32 and 16 in Vancouver. Canada had to win its group, among the weakest in this sprawling 48-country tournament. <\/p>\n

Instead, the deflating loss against Switzerland exiled Canada to Los Angeles. Afterward, edgy feelings abounded. Canada got itself into a place it had never been before, the World Cup knockout round, yet people couldn\u2019t shake the sense something had slipped away.<\/p>\n

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In Vancouver, Marsch, usually voluble, often ebullient<\/a>, abruptly ended his postgame news conference after nine terse minutes. Injured star Alphonso Davies was supposed to, finally, play against the Swiss. In the shadow of a loss, Marsch revealed his announcement the day before that Davies would play was a decoy. The ploy sounded lame. The Swiss had not looked rattled. All it did was disappoint more than 50,000 fans who had expected to see the star play.<\/p>\n

Down the concrete hallway under the stands at BC Place Vancouver, heading to the locker room, Alistair Johnston spoke with reporters. He said he got \u201ca strange vibe\u201d from some of the questions. Four years ago, he had played every minute for Canada in three World Cup losses. He played every minute this tournament.<\/p>\n

Yes, the start of the second half was bad, the 27-year-old defender told reporters, but the team had made it into the World Cup knockout rounds. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s everything to play for,\u201d Johnston said. \u201cLet\u2019s regroup. Let\u2019s get after it.\u201d<\/p>\n

92nd minute, June 28, Canada vs. South AfricaOpen this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n

Stephen Eust\u00e1quio scores Canada’s winner against South Africa in Los Angeles on Sunday.FRANK GUNN\/The Canadian Press<\/p>\n

Los Angeles proved lucky. It was a sort of cosmic gift. Lose what you want and get what you need.<\/p>\n

Had Canada tied Switzerland, they would have faced higher-ranked Algeria in Vancouver in the round of 32. And instead of South Korea in L.A., another higher-ranked team, Canada\u2019s surprise opponent was lowly ranked South Africa.<\/p>\n

Yet, again, for a long time, Canada could not capitalize in a ramshackle match on a shining afternoon in L.A. where neither team could score.<\/p>\n

Nearing the end, in the 75th minute, Davies stepped on the field. The last time he played for Canada was at this same stadium, in early 2025, when he ruptured his ACL. Last Sunday, though still looking well short of full fitness, Davies delivered an immediate spark \u2013 the tonic his teammates needed.<\/p>\n

Canada came to life. Promise David fizzed a shot just wide off the net. Jonathan David stung the palms of the South African goalkeeper. It was precursor to a crescendo.<\/p>\n

Fans across the country celebrate Canada\u2019s monumental win against South Africa<\/a><\/p>\n

With the match entering stoppage time, an extra 30 minutes of play and a penalty-kick shootout loomed. <\/p>\n

A Jacob Shaffelburg shot from the outside sailed toward the South African net and a defender volleyed the ball away with a header. <\/p>\n

Eust\u00e1quio, poised some 20 yards from the net, channelled the hopes of 41 million Canadians.<\/p>\n

The ball came directly to him. He corralled it on his chest and directed it to the grass. His eyes locked on the ball. He planted his left foot. The ball bounced to hip height and as it began to descend, he swung his right leg, connecting clean. There were three defenders and the goalkeeper but he saw a clear path through. <\/p>\n

Three years ago, brain cancer had killed Eust\u00e1quio\u2019s mother. The next year, a month after his daughter Benedita was born, a heart attack killed his father.<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old had worn the team captain arm band for most of the tournament. When Davies came on in L.A., Eust\u00e1quio fitted the white band on the star\u2019s left bicep.<\/p>\n

Forty years ago, at Canada\u2019s first World Cup in 1986, the team lost three games, didn\u2019t score a single goal and finished last of 24 countries. In 1994, Canada was within two wins of qualifying for its second World Cup. Then, years in the soccer wilderness. The nadir 8-1 loss to Honduras in 2012. Nine years ago, Canada was 120th-ranked in the world. In 2022, back at the World Cup, it was barely better than the first time. Three losses and second last out of 32 countries.<\/p>\n

In L.A., Eust\u00e1quio\u2019s winner flew untouched and bounced near the six-yard box line. The South African goalkeeper dove to his right.<\/p>\n

As the ball rippled the goal net, a nascent soccer country received permission to dream \u2013 a moment of collective catharsis. <\/p>\n

It was the only World Cup game last Sunday, a global spotlight on Canada. The brotherhood, in a postmatch exhalation, gathered as always on the field in a circle. \u201cYou guys are Canadian heroes,\u201d Marsch told the players. Kon\u00e9, without crutches, danced.<\/p>\n

Eust\u00e1quio carried Canada and Canada carried Eust\u00e1quio.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I shot,\u201d he said after the victory, \u201cI felt everybody shot with me. Everybody put a little bit of power on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

No margin for missteps<\/p>\n

Mid-morning Wednesday, Canada Day, the summer heat in Houston already felt oppressive, climbing toward a high of 35 C, humidity soaking the stagnant air.<\/p>\n

After two days of rest, the team gathered near a local college, in a sort of American suburban nowhere. The Canadians readied for the match of their lives. Good vibes radiated. They\u2019d made it to a place Canada had never been.<\/p>\n

Houston Stadium, a domed modern behemoth, stood six miles away, capacity 68,000. It\u2019s there, on Saturday, that Canada faces Morocco, a true power in global soccer, seventh-ranked in FIFA\u2019s tally, the best team in Africa. Canada is 30th.<\/p>\n

At the 2022 World Cup, Morocco beat Canada 2-1 in the last group stage game when Canada was already out.<\/p>\n

Saturday will likely be the most widely watched sporting event to ever feature Canada, with upward of several hundred million viewers around the world.<\/p>\n

In a game of small margins, there is no more room for missteps.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Open this photo in gallery: Canadian players celebrate the win over South Africa in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday.Marcio…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":777588,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[440],"tags":[901,888,902,879,877,903,49,48,876,895,896,891,878,875,46,549,295,894,887,914,880,881,893,889,890,884,904,885,909,910,912,907,911,905,908,882,898,899,714,897,906,561,82,865,61,900,892,886,883,913],"class_list":["post-777587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-soccer","tag-alberta","tag-arts-news","tag-bc","tag-breaking-news","tag-breaking-news-video","tag-british-columbia","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-canada-news","tag-canada-sports","tag-canada-sports-news","tag-canada-trafficcanada-weather","tag-canadian-breaking-news","tag-canadian-news","tag-economy","tag-education","tag-environment","tag-federal-government","tag-foreign-news","tag-globe-and-mail","tag-globe-and-mail-breaking-news","tag-globe-and-mail-canada-news","tag-government","tag-life-news","tag-lifestyle","tag-local-news","tag-manitoba","tag-national-news","tag-new-brunswick","tag-newfoundland-and-labrador","tag-northwest-territories","tag-nova-scotia","tag-nunavut","tag-ontario","tag-pei","tag-photos","tag-political-news","tag-political-opinion","tag-politics","tag-politics-news","tag-quebec","tag-soccer","tag-sports","tag-sports-news","tag-technology","tag-travel","tag-trudeau","tag-us-news","tag-world-news","tag-yukon"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=777587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777587\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/777588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=777587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=777587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=777587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}