LOS ANGELES.- Canada This Sunday became the first team to advance to the round of 16 of the North America World Cup 2026 by winning 1-0 South Africa in it SoFi Stadium of Los Angeles.
A shot by the Canadian captain Stephen Eustaquio In injury time (90+2′) he gave the North American team the victory.
Canada will play in the round of 16 with the winner of the duel that Netherlands and Morocco They will play on Monday in Monterrey.
The clash between these two emerging nations on the football scene began at maximum intensity, as if their status as newcomers to the knockout phase made them forget that these battles can last up to 120 minutes.
The first half passed with a lot of noise and empty runs, with Canada taking the points with a couple of clear chances before the break.
He even thought that he would get a reward after an entry of Khuliso Mudau about Richie Laryea which he claimed as a penalty. Between complaints to the referee, the players led by Jesse Marsch They went to the locker room.
The second half began with the Americans dominating against Bafana Bafana who had a hard time leaving their field.
But when they achieved it, the explosiveness of their players put the Canadian defense in trouble, like the shot that went close to the goal post. Oswin Appollis (63′) or the one who saved Maxime Crepeau (84′).
The game accelerated and Canada was closer than ever to the goal on a counterattack. Tani Oluwaseyi he stood before the archer Ronwen Williams and the rejection seemed like a gift to an empty door for Jonathan Davidbut the center appeared Mbekezeli Mbokazi to work the miracle (64′).
The Canadian siege continued with David testing Williams again (78′) with a hard shot that he cleared with his fists.
He finally got his reward with Eustaquio’s cross shot, which led the co-host to achieve the pass in his first game outside his territory.
Japan suffers severe decline
The star attacker of Japan, Takefusa Kubois still injured and will not play this Monday against Brazil in the round of 32 of the World Cup 2026said his coach, Hajime Moriyasuwho recalled that they already know how to beat the five-time world champions.
“He has not been able to train today, he is doing individual work, racing, so he will not be able to play in tomorrow’s team against Brazil,” the coach reported on Sunday at a press conference at the Houston Stadiumparty headquarters.
Despite this, Moriyasu trusts that the Blue Samurai will offer their best version, especially inspired by a recent precedent: a friendly in October 2025 in Tokyo between both teams that Japan won 3-2.
