Canada stuns South Africa in stoppage time as Jesse Marsch makes more World Cup history on his return to the US
Jesse Marsch gathered his players and staff together and then hit on the right words. ‘You are Canadian heroes,’ he told them. ‘This sport has a great future thanks to you.’
It was all a bit theatrical, but that’s Marsch. And truth be told, his side had carved out yet another slice of history.
Because in the second minute of stoppage time in the last 32 match against South Africa, the ball went clear only to Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio.
He took it down and then fired into the house from the outside of the box. For Canada, it was the biggest goal in the country’s history, sending them into the last 16 for the first time.
For everyone else? It was a blessing. Until then, fans faced the prospect of sitting out due to overtime and penalties. By then, no one could enjoy it except the blazers in US Soccer.
Marsch was left ‘devastated’ after being rejected for a US job in 2023. This was his chance to cross the line and show his citizens what could happen.
Stephen Eustaquio scores the injury-time winner as Canada beat South Africa at the World Cup
Jesse Marsch’s team reaches the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time
Marsch gathered his players and staff together and told them: ‘You are Canadian heroes.’
Instead, Canada and South Africa were stunned for 91 minutes. It was a terrible advertisement for Gianni Infantino’s expansion project. The only saving grace? He had to sit in luxury seats.
Marsch won’t care. Shortly after a full shift, he stretched out his arms, looked up at the sky, and savored the moment. The Canadian boss will take a deep breath once he calms down. Now the Netherlands or Morocco are waiting in Houston.
This was the first time Canada or South Africa had advanced to the knockout rounds in a total of seven attempts. Never before has a World Cup host country played on foreign soil. This was Canada’s punishment for failing to top Group B.
As for Marsch? He had long dreamed of coaching a knockout game in the United States, but shouting ‘That’s Canada’ and hearing boos wasn’t Plan A. It’s funny where life can take you.
The sight of Marsch singing the Canadian national anthem did little to improve relations between the 52-year-old and his compatriots. They were already on edge after missing USMNT work and claimed American players had to be ‘begged’ to sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.
Most of this match also made Marsch very unpopular with the US public. It was very bad. Who can blame the crowd for booing big chunks of both halves?
Any real drama lasted 44 minutes. First, Moise Bombito’s header from the Canadian corner was cleared off the line before Tajon Buchanan’s shot was saved.
A few minutes later, Richie Laryea crashed into the penalty area. In replays, Khuliso Mudau’s boot was seen rubbing the ball.
This was the first time Canada or South Africa made it to the knockout rounds
The ball went towards Eustaquio, who dropped the ball and shot it towards the goal.
But Marsch was not convinced; He ran onto the pitch at half-time and had to be restrained. Alphonso Davies would have to scream to get warm.
He missed the group stages due to a hamstring problem, although the Canadian captain played his opponents insisting Marsch was ready to play. Apparently, the Bayern Munich star was ‘really ready’ for the task. However, he could not come off the bench until 15 minutes.
Not saying much but Canada were the better side and they increased the pressure after Davies He removed Eustaquio’s armband. But in the end, it was the midfielder who dragged his country into unknown waters.
“I’m American and I’m proud to be American, but I think the ideals and characteristics of the Canadian people suit me very well,” Marsch said.
‘They value kindness, they value generosity. I think it is a country that is very friendly to foreigners and appreciates what you do rather than what you say. And I know that sometimes, as Americans, we get a certain reputation for being loud, arrogant, and outgoing vocals.
‘And I know that defines me in many ways – or at least that’s how people like to describe me. But I still don’t give it that way. All I care about is working with the teams I work with and the players I work with and helping them do their best.’
