South Africa v Canada LIVE: Latest score and updates from World Cup last-32 – UK Times

Canada are starting to click. They’re quick and pacey as they sweep forward down the left.

Laryea receives the ball on the overlap from left-back and looks to cross where he wins a corner.

The set piece comes to nothing but it’s a sign of Canada’s confidence growing.

6 mins: A potentially nice move sees Buchanan bring the ball forward on the right wing before slipping it into the box as Johnston makes an underlapping run.

The right-back slips as he tries to control the ball which leaves Canada out of possession and their attack fades away.

At the other end of the pitch, South Africa find a bit of space which allows Mokoena to shoot from range. He strikes his effort well and forces Crepeau into a low save to his right!

3 mins: Canada keep possession of the ball through the opening minutes but a loose pass gifts it back to their opponents.

South Africa look like breaking on the left through Appollis but he checks inside and sends the ball backwards.

Canada get the ball rolling in Los Angeles and work it over to the right side of the pitch.

They try to quickly head forward but lose possession.

The players make their way out onto the pitch and the national anthems are sung.

The World Cup knockout rounds are about to begin. Who will go through?

While Mexico will play their next game at the Azteca, many of the Mexican population in LA would’ve been desperate for their side to finish second.

On the walk to the stadium, Mexican shirts by far and away outweighed any from Canada or South Africa. In fact, I also saw a lot of South Korean shirts – the side who somehow missed out to South Africa to take their place here today.

Should be an interesting one as the knockout-stage begins!

Canada went through to the knockout stages with four points, the fewest by a home nation to qualify from the group stage at a World Cup since USA in 1994 (also 4).

The US lost in the first knockout round when they progressed. How will Canada fare?

Canada have also lost both of their competitive meetings with African nations.

They suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cameroon in the 2001 Confederations Cup before losing 2-1 to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Is that a worrying sign for Jesse Marsch’s men?

History for South Africa and the most remarkable turnaround for Bafana Bafana to lock up a place in the knockout phase at a World Cup 2026 for the first time.

From the humiliation at the hands of hosts Mexico, including two red cards, to a dramatic late win on Wednesday thanks to Thapelo Maseko, to down South Korea 1-0 and leapfrog them into second.

Canada failed to score in their first four World Cup matches but have since found the net at least once in each of their last five games.

However, 60% of their goals at this tournament (6/10) came in their 6-0 win over nine-man Qatar.