Eustáquioooooooooooooooooooo!

Yesterday, with one beautiful strike of the ball, Canada announced itself to the soccer world as a team truly ready for the big stage.

It was the World Cup moment this country has been dreaming about for decades, and the fourth time the team has written its name in the history books already this tournament. Now Canada is off to the Round of 16 next Saturday, and the country is feeling like a football nation.

Plus, the CPL is back, the NSL is in full flight and more ahead in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.

Why are one of the hosts playing away? Should an exception be made for Canada if it finished second in the group? Perhaps. The USA would play at home regardless of where they finished, given that they are hosting the majority of games. Mexico, if it finished second, would play in LA, which is effectively still a home game. Nonetheless, the Los Angeles stadium is incredible.

Nervous start to the game as the CanMNT seemed to focus on the perfect pass and placement before getting a shot off, but after the hydration break, they started easing into the game. South Africa seemed comfortable from the beginning, and every minor decision made by Bafana Bafana worked in their favour.

If we’re being honest, it wasn’t the greatest performance from the CanMNT. There was a series of preventable turnovers, heavy touches and a hesitation to run and shoot. Certain pervasive issues continue to affect Canada's efficiency in front of the net. However, one thing that cannot be taken away is the team's hustle.

“We could’ve made things easier on ourselves,” said Gaffer Jesse Marsch regarding Canada’s efficiency in the final third. What we are feeling as we watched the game, Marsch sees it too.

Alphonso Davies and Moïse Bombito are back. Canada’s key players have made their return. Bombito started alongside Derek Cornelius but was later substituted off in the 59th minute for Luc de Fougerolles. While Phonzy came off the bench in the 75th minute for Tajon Buchanan. Both players showed a bit of rust after lengthy injury periods, but both came in with a massive aura.

Key substitutions changed the rhythm. Luc de Fougerolles calmed and reinforced the defensive line. Niko Sigur was making key passes. Promise David’s power and physical presence became an issue for SA’s defence. Jacob Shaffelburg added fresh legs and pace on the wing. The subs kept the high pressure and pace that the Bafana Bafana struggled to cope with.

Stephen Eustáquio in the history books. The LAFC midfielder secured Canada’s ticket to the Round of 16 with a strong half volley from outside the box. The goal came from a sequence of good passing plays with Alistair Johnston sending a cross into the box. Leading to Staqs finishing the game 1-0 for Les Rouges.

“Modern football is more than technique, it is also speed and power,” said South African coach Hugo Broos when describing the CanMNT. This has become Canada’s footballing style. Although the athleticism is evident, can this style be effective against the Netherlands or Morocco? We shall see.

A bittersweet end to the group phase. The CanMNT ended the group stage round with a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland. It was an even-balanced game in the first half until Switzerland scored early in the second half.

Canada were exposed on the counter. The CanMNT were displaying their weaknesses in the first half, getting caught on counters and losing their battles at fullback. Despite Richie Laryea and Alistair Johnston putting in a serious shift, all of Switzerland’s goals came from counters and a late run from the flank. That late run is what caught Canada with both goals.

Nathan Saliba rose to the challenge. The Anderlecht midfielder had an impressive performance today as he kept the rhythm of the game in the absence of Ismaël Koné. Saliba’s hard work paid off as he perfectly controlled a high ball in mid-sprint and then crossed it to Promise David, who found the back of the net. We need more of that.

“A matter of small margins,” stated Jesse Marsch, which determined the game for Canada. Switzerland, more or less the same team that defeated France in the knockout round of the 2024 Euros, showed their experience today. For Canada, they battled hard, but it was truly the smallest details that made the difference.

Lessons for the CanMNT, to compete with the best in the world, the slightest of inches will matter. Canada’s last 10 minutes of the game were promising and put tremendous pressure on the Swiss. But alas, no goals were produced from productive crosses. A mix of unluckiness and stubborn defending from the opposition.

⚓️ The CPL is back with a seven-goal thriller. After a brief break, Halifax hosted Pacific FC in the CPL’s first game back since leaving off for the World Cup group stage. And boy, did it come back roaring. The Wanderers spotted five on Pacific, including two own goals and a late penalty in a 5-2 finish. Goalscorers included Miguel Arilla, Marco Bustos, Taras Gomulka, Isaiah Johnston and Tavio Ciccarelli (on the right net).

⛈️ Cavalry vs Supra was scheduled for Sunday night, but ended up being called off due to brutal weather in the Calgary area. Supra will have to wait to step onto the pitch at ATCO Field for the first time.

Wednesday, July 1
Forge FC vs. Vancouver FC (1PM ET @ Hamilton Stadium) Halifax Wanderers vs. Atletico Ottawa (5PM AT @ Wanderers Grounds)

Saturday, July 4
Atletico Ottawa vs. Cavalry FC (3PM ET @ TD Place Stadium) Vancouver FC vs. Inter Toronto FC (3PM PT @ Willoughby Community Park)

Sunday, July 5
Supra du Québec vs. Forge FC (1PM ET @ Stade Boréale) Pacific FC vs. Halifax Wanderers (3PM PT @ Starlight Stadium)

Follow Canucks At Home on Twitter and Bluesky.

🪽 Ottawa Rapid continue to flourish. Earlier in the season, it was all systems go for the Montréal Roses. But now, there’s a new animal in town — specifically, the peregrine falcon. Ottawa grew their lead atop the NSL to 4 points this week, beating the second-place Roses, 2-1. Elyse Bennett stayed hot from the spot, but it’s wasn’t enough to overcome Keera Melenhorst and Melanie Forbes’ openers.

🌊 Halifax Tides add another win. If the Tides could play Calgary every week, they probably wouldn’t complain. 3 out of 4 Tides wins this season have now come against the Wild, as Saorla Miller scored her 4th goal of the season in a 1-0 shutout.

⬆️ AFC Toronto jump Rise in the table. A big cross-country rivalry match at Swangard went the way of AFC. The first half was even, AFC Toronto opened the scoring on an own goal, but Anais Oularbi equalized with an absolute BANGER of a free kick. In the 62nd minute, however, Lauren Rowe found space down the flank and finished her chance to give AFC Toronto the lead. Kaylee Hunter then put the match to bed in stoppage time for a 3-1 AFC Toronto win.

Saturday, July 4
Montréal Roses vs. Vancouver Rise (2PM ET @ Stade Boréale)

Sunday, July 5
Ottawa Rapid vs. Calgary Wild (2PM ET @ TD Place) Halifax Tides vs. AFC Toronto (4PM AT @ Wanderers Grounds)

Follow Canucks At Home on Twitter and Bluesky.