Canada continue to break new ground at this World Cup . In the group stages, at the eighth attempt, the Canucks won a men's World Cup game for the very first time, demolishing nine-man Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver with Jonathan David bagging a hat-trick. However, after losing 2-1 to Switzerland in their final group game, Jesse Marsch's team were forced to relinquish home advantage for the knockouts.
So, on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, les Rouges took on South Africa , both nations having reached the knockout phase for the very first time. To say it was a game low on quality and action would be an understatement, but Canada were the better side. Deep into injury time, just as everyone was preparing for extra time, Stephen Eustquio lashed home from the edge of the area, sparking wild scenes of celebration.
Despite their run to the 2024 Copa Amrica semi-finals, this is undeniably the biggest moment in men's Canadian soccer history. So, what next for Marsch's team?
Canadian supporters should keep a close eye on Monday night's round of 32 tie Netherlands vs. Morocco in Monterrey . That's because, the winners of that clash will be the Canucks' opponents at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday July, 4.
Round of 16: Saturday July, 4. Kick off 1 p.m. ET in Houston - vs. Netherlands or Morocco .
Of course, no Canadian realistically believes they will be involved in the quarterfinals, let alone the final itself, but why not dream? Whoever they come up against in the Lone Star State next weekend, Canada will be underdogs, especially having given up home advantage, albeit a fair few Canadian supporters will make the long journey south to Texas.
Les Rouges have heavily lost both previous meetings with Holland, both coming in friendlies. Legends Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars and Frank Rijkaard all scored during the first half of a 3-0 win in Toronto in 94'. More relevantly, two summers ago, Marsch's team were demolished 4-0 at De Kuip in Rotterdam; Memphis , Jeremie Frimpong , Wout Weghorst and Virgil van Dijk all scoring.
Meantime, Canada's record against Morocco isn't much better. The pair drew 1-1 in Montral in '94, with Canada smashed 4-0 in Marrakesh a decade ago. The pair most-recently clashed at the World Cup in Qatar, with the Atlas Lions prevailing 2-1 at Al-Thumama Stadium your years ago.
Thus, it would require something of a miracle for Canada to become the fifth CONCACAF nation to reach a World Cup quarter-final, after Cuba (1938), Mexico (1970 & 1986), USA (1930 & 2002), and Costa Rica (2014). However, Marsch's team have already made history, dreaming of even more.
This article was originally published on www.fansided.com as Who does Canada play next? World Cup schedule, bracket path and key dates .
