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[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

The last 32 for the 2026 World Cup...

🇿🇦🇨🇦 South Africa vs. Canada
🇧🇷🇯🇵 Brazil vs. Japan
🇩🇪🇵🇾 Germany vs. Paraguay
🇳🇱🇲🇦 Netherlands vs. Morocco
🇨🇮🇳🇴 Ivory Coast vs. Norway
🇫🇷🇸🇪 France vs. Sweden
🇲🇽🇪🇨 Mexico vs. Ecuador
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇨🇩 England vs. DR Congo
🇧🇪🇸🇳 Belgium vs. Senegal
🇺🇸🇧🇦 USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
🇪🇸🇦🇹 Spain vs. Austria
🇵🇹🇭🇷 Portugal vs. Croatia
🇨🇭🇩🇿 Switzerland vs. Algeria
🇦🇺🇪🇬 Australia vs. Egypt
🇦🇷🇨🇻 Argentina vs. Cape Verde
🇨🇴🇬🇭 Colombia vs. Ghana

Reply with your picks for the last 16... ⤵️

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

How far can Canada go in this World Cup?

On the evidence of this, not massively deep into the tournament, although momentum may well snowball from this stage given all three host countries appear to have been able to raise their levels for this ‘home’ tournament.

Up next for Canada is a trip to Houston, Texas, on Saturday, which just so happens to be Independence Day in the United States, with either the Netherlands or Morocco, who face off in Monterrey, Mexico, on Monday, lying in wait in the round of 16.

Whoever they take on at the Houston Stadium next weekend likely to head into the match as significant favourites.

Beyond that, France or Germany would be expected to reach (and be massive favourites for) the quarter-final, which takes place in Boston on July 9, before Spain, Portugal or Belgium probably lie in wait in the last four.

Canada fans will rightly dream about how far they can advance, as that is what being a supporter is all about, but a lot of football has to be played before those showpiece matches.

✍️ @ChrisDHWaugh

🔗 https://t.co/iBV64Zz0hC

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Stephen Eustaquio was born in Ontario, Canada, before moving to Portugal at 11.

He appeared for Canada Under-12s in 2012, before making several appearances for Portugal Under-21s in 2017 and 2018.

However, in 2019, Eustaquio committed his allegiance to Canada, making his senior debut that same year.

Now, in 2026, he scored Canada’s first-ever goal in the knockout stages of a men’s World Cup, sending them through to the round of 16 for the first time.

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Were Canada denied a clear penalty on the brink of half-time against South Africa?

The Athletic’s refereeing expert Graham Scott (@Refsplaining), a former Premier League official, said he thought a penalty should have been awarded.

“The referee’s only defence would be that the attacker initiated the contact,” he said. “But there’s a much stronger case that the defender makes contact first with his knee, which causes everything that follows. So it should have been a penalty on the field.

“VARs have largely been keeping away from these, yet Brazil were denied a second goal against Scotland for much less contact. The bar for intervention has been inconsistent to say the least.”

Fortunately for Canada, in the end it did not matter.

🔗 https://t.co/iBV64Zzy7a

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧?

They each created five chances from set plays in a World Cup knockout match.

🇨🇦 Eustaquio vs. South Africa, R32, 2026
🇮🇹 Pirlo vs. Germany, semi-final, 2006

According to @OptaJoe, five is the most since records began in 1966.

[Colin Millar @Millar_Colin]

Stephen Eustáquio is the first ever No 7 who has represented Portugal to score a goal in a World Cup knockout game.

[Laurie Whitwell @lauriewhitwell]

Canada through to last-16 after beating South Africa 1-0 with injury time winner by Stephen Eustaquio.

Jesse Marsch emotional on the pitch. Will fly to Monterey for Netherlands v Morocco.

Alphonso Davies makes his first World Cup appearance ⬇️

https://t.co/Lfk66XrNTh

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

The 1-0 win over South Africa will go down as one of the most celebrated results by any Canadian national team in any sport.

For years, the program was overlooked and written off. But this team on the day battled, just as Canadian soccer players had battled for generations for eyeballs.

The eyes of the world are now on them after their effort and pressing paid off. Canada should now consider themselves in a different tier of international soccer.

✍️ @joshuakloke

🔗 https://t.co/iBV64Zz0hC

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Jesse Marsch had a strong message for his Canada players after they won a men’s World Cup knockout match for the first time.

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Canada are the first team to book their place in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after a late 1-0 win over South Africa.

Despite co-hosting the tournament, they are set to face either Morocco or the Netherlands in Houston on July 4.

Jesse Marsch and his side will find out their opponents tomorrow...

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Canada make it through to the World Cup round of 16 for the first time in their history.

Jesse Marsch’s side were pushed all the way by South Africa in a game lacking in both chances and quality.

But a stoppage-time strike from Stephen Eustaquio means the co-hosts progress - and South Africa are sent home.

Canada will remain in the United States for their next match, where they will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston.

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

It seemed Canada and South Africa were destined for extra time.

But a late strike from Stephen Eustaquio means it is joy for Canada - and heartbreak for South Africa.

A cross can only be cleared into the path of Eustaquio, who fires a low effort into the bottom corner.

Cue bedlam - both inside Sofi Stadium, and many, many miles north...

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

“There was a real danger that Canada would be out of the tournament by the time Alphonso Davies was ready to return.

“But they did well without him in the group stage and now he has the opportunity to help them break South Africa's resistance.”

✍️ @OliverKay

🔗 https://t.co/oTEXNG3KtH

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

“Jesse Marsch looked frustrated as the half-time whistle was blown, seemingly unhappy that the referee turned down Canada’s penalty appeal a few minutes earlier.

“Personally, I felt the referee got it right. Laryea appeared to engineer the contact.”

@OliverKay gives his thoughts on Canada’s late first-half penalty shout...

🔗 https://t.co/oTEXNG3KtH

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Canada are not happy at half-time, with their World Cup round of 32 match against South Africa goalless.

The co-hosts felt they should have had a penalty late on for Khuliso Mudau’s challenge on Richie Laryea.

Do you think not awarding a spot kick was the right decision?

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

South African footballing royalty is watching on in Los Angeles...

Siphiwe Tshabalala, scorer of one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history for South Africa against Mexico in 2010, is at Sofi Stadium to witness his nation’s first-ever knockout game in the tournament.

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Canada are not happy at half-time, with their World Cup round of 32 match against South Africa goalless.

The co-hosts felt they should have had a penalty late on for Khuliso Mudau’s challenge on Richie Laryea.

Do you think not awarding a spot kick was the right decision?

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Canada have become the first-ever World Cup side to co-host a tournament - and play away.

They are lacking the excellent support they received in the matches played in Toronto and Vancouver.

✍️ @PhilHay_

🔗 https://t.co/8Y35ineluM

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

It remains goalless between Canada and South Africa, but the fans are certainly enjoying themselves in Los Angeles.

Follow live: https://t.co/8Y35ineluM

[Tom Bogert @tombogert]

Robert Lewandowski visited Chicago earlier this month. Talks were a roller coaster with the Fire this year. Cooled for a little before Fire pushed hard again.

Now, Lewandowski has agreed to terms with the Fire. Two year deal. Still needs to be signed. https://t.co/N3ns2wlUI8