CO-HOSTS Canada and South Africa will both make World Cup history when they meet in the opening game of the knockout round tonight.
Neither nation has ever reached this stage of international football’s showpiece event, and they could not have asked for a grander stage than the spectacular SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
South Africa are one of nine African sides to have reached the last 32, making the continent the major beneficiary of the expanded 48-team format.
The Bafana Bafana looked dead and buried in a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the tournament opener but a spirited 1-0 win against South Korea fired them into uncharted territory.
Canada celebrated going through too but slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in their final group game cost them their ‘home’ status that the group winner would have enjoyed.
So they have been forced to head to the United States.
Their American coach Jesse Marsch is banking on the “X-factor” of returning superstar Alphonso Davies to elevate his team in tonight’s showdown.
Bayern Munich defender Davies was sidelined for the entire group phase due to a hamstring injury and Marsch said he relished the return of the undoubted star of Canadian soccer.
“Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy and ready to perform, I think it’s a big moment for the team and a big boost for the team,” Marsch said on Saturday.
“He’s a big X factor for us,” he added.
“Being on the pitch, the belief they have in him, the belief he has in himself, I think changes the possibility of what the potential of our team is, and what we can do in this tournament,” Marsch said.
South Africa’s veteran Belgian coach Hugo Broos said reaching the last 32 meant “we can say already now that the World Cup is a success for us,” but he insisted his side was hungry to go even further.
“That doesn’t mean now that we are happy and that we just play the game tomorrow and go home. Once you are there, you want more, and we want to win the game tomorrow,” he said.
“I think if we can show the same mentality and the same level that we played against South Korea, then I think we had a chance to win it — even if Canada is a very tough team.”
Joining Canada in the knockouts for the first time is South Africa, who also picked up four points to finish second in Group A.
That 1-0 win over South Korea in the final game will live long in the memory for South Africans.
The winner of this one will play the winner of the Netherlands and Morocco.
ANALYSIS:
Jesse Marsch has made four changes to the Canada starting 11 that faced Switzerland – Moïse Bombito, Stephen Eustaquio, Tani Oluwaseyi, and Liam Millar come in for Luc De Fougerolles, Cyle Larin, Mathieu Choinière, and Ali Ahmed.
Celtic’s Alistair Johnston and Hull’s Millar are among the starters, but there is still no action for captain Alphonso Davies, who has not played since injuring a hamstring during Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final in May. However, Marsch says Davies could feature tonight as a substitute.
South Africa boss Hugo Broos, who at the age of 74 becomes the oldest manager to take charge of a team in the knockout stages of the World Cup, makes one change from the 11 that started the 1-0 win over South Korea.
Teboho Mokoena comes in for Thalente Mbatha in midfield, while Burnley striker Lyle Foster is among the substitutes.
Mokoena picked up a yellow card against both Mexico and Czech Republic meaning he was suspended for the final group game against South Korea.
But today, he’s back and said Bafana Bafana all believe they can reach the last four of the World Cup.
“The boys feel we can go to the semi-finals,” he said.
“We are brothers. We just enjoy each other’s company, we respect one another, we respect the coach.
“When we are happy, we sing. When we are sad, not so much. When we are happy we sing and that’s how we unite ourselves as South Africans.
“We are different, you can see. When we arrive we sing, that’s how we bring ourselves together and be in one state of mind. Singing is part of our culture here.”
South Africa are without the suspended Themba Zwane on the World Cup injury table, but they get a major boost with Teboho Mokoena back from his own suspension to anchor midfield. Coach Hugo Broos leans on the pace of Maseko and Appollis around Evidence Makgopa, with Relebohile Mofokeng providing the spark. Check RotoWire’s player news for the confirmed lineup.
The win over South Korea showed South Africa are organized, brave and dangerous on the break, and having Mokoena available again strengthens their spine. The flip side is that they have struggled to break down deep defenses, leaning on long-range shots, so they will be happy to sit off and hit Canada in transition rather than force the game. Their energy and pace could trouble a side that has to come at them.
Canada have a worry over Alphonso Davies, who is listed as questionable on the World Cup injury table and is not in the projected XI, while Ismael Kone is ruled out and Alfie Jones is also doubtful. Manager Jesse Marsch still has Jonathan David and Cyle Larin up top and Stephen Eustaquio, back from his own knock, pulling the strings. Check RotoWire’s player news for the confirmed lineup.
Davies has been out all tournament, but it is still a massive absence given his importance to the team in recent years. Even so, the David-Larin pairing gives them a cutting edge South Africa will have to respect, and Eustaquio’s control is central to how they break the Africans down.
South Africa will look to stay compact, soak up Canada’s pressure and break quickly through the pace of Maseko and Appollis, with Mokoena and Mbatha screening the back four. Coach Broos has built a side that defends well as a unit and counters with intent, and the runs in behind for Makgopa could trouble a Canada defense missing some regulars.
Canada will see more of the ball and look to get David and Larin service, with Eustaquio dictating and Buchanan and Ali Ahmed providing width. Without Davies, the creative burden grows, and manager Marsch’s side will need to be patient against a disciplined block while guarding against the counter.
Their soft spot is at the back, where individual errors cost them against Switzerland, and that is exactly the kind of opening South Africa’s counter is built to punish. Whoever wins the midfield battle between Eustaquio and South Africa’s pivot likely controls the tie.
Canada get the edge, narrowly. The David-Larin axis is the best attacking pairing on the pitch and Eustaquio gives them control, but the Davies doubt and South Africa’s fearlessness make this closer than a one-sided knockout. Canada’s quality should edge it, though it going the distance would not be a surprise.
PREDICTIONS:
Sadiq’s Prediction: South Africa have all the ingredients to pull off another upset. Hugo Broos’ side has shown throughout the tournament that it is disciplined defensively, fearless in knockout football, and devastating on the counterattack. The return of Teboho Mokoena from suspension restores balance in midfield and gives Bafana Bafana the ability to disrupt Canada’s rhythm before launching quick transitions.
Canada are expected to dominate possession, but their vulnerability to defensive mistakes was exposed against Switzerland. With Oswin Appollis, Maseko, and Evidence Makgopa exploiting space behind the Canadian defence, South Africa have the pace to punish any lapses.
If Relebohile Mofokeng provides his usual creativity between the lines, Bafana could edge a thrilling contest.
My Prediction: Canada 1-3 South Africa
Peter’s Prediction: This could be another tactical masterclass from Hugo Broos. South Africa are unlikely to engage Canada in an open contest, instead remaining compact, frustrating Jesse Marsch’s side, and waiting for opportunities on the break.
The midfield duel between Teboho Mokoena and Stephen Eustaquio may decide the match. If Mokoena succeeds in limiting Eustaquio’s influence, Canada could struggle to create clear-cut chances, especially without Alphonso Davies starting.
South Africa’s organized defensive structure and confidence following their victory over South Korea make a narrow win entirely possible.
My Prediction: Canada 2-3 South Africa
Gbenga’s Prediction: Canada still possess the greater attacking quality despite the absence of Alphonso Davies. The partnership of Jonathan David and Cyle Larin offers movement, finishing ability, and physical presence that could eventually break down South Africa’s resilient defence.
With Stephen Eustaquio orchestrating play from midfield and wide players stretching the game, Canada should create sustained pressure. If they avoid the defensive errors that plagued them against Switzerland, Jesse Marsch’s side has enough experience and attacking depth to control proceedings and secure a professional victory.
My Prediction: Canada 2-1 South Africa
Gloria’s Prediction: Canada still possess the greater attacking quality despite the absence of Alphonso Davies. The partnership of Jonathan David and Cyle Larin offers movement, finishing ability, and physical presence that could eventually break down South Africa’s resilient defence.
With Stephen Eustaquio orchestrating play from midfield and wide players stretching the game, Canada should create sustained pressure. If they avoid the defensive errors that plagued them against Switzerland, Jesse Marsch’s side has enough experience and attacking depth to control proceedings and secure a professional victory.
My Prediction: Canada 1-0 South Africa