CanMNT Round of 16: We can be heroes

The GIST: Before the fun kicks off in Houston, Texas, let’s revisit Canada’s Round of 32 win against South Africa.

🥲 Vice-captain Stephen Eustáquio (pronounced oh-STACK-ee-oh) etches his name in Canada soccer history: Head coach Jesse Marsch promised aggressive soccer from the start on Sunday, and CanMNT kind of delivered. Despite some stellar chances, they failed to finish in the first half. The second-half hydration break, however, was yet again a major turning point for the Canadians.

• In the 75th minute, superstar Alphonso Davies took the field for the first time this tourney, with the captain immediately making an impact.

• Most importantly, the magnetic Davies drew attention to the edges of the field during stoppage time, leaving just enough space for Eustáquio to score the most important goal in Canada men’s soccer history in the 92nd minute.

👀 Was this CanMNT’s best showing at this WC? Absolutely not. The attack was far from clinical, and the lads squandered multiple opportunities to put the game away. That said, a few players stood out and will be counted on for a repeat performance against a far stronger opponent today.

• 🔴 Stephen Eustáquio | Midfielder: Eustáquio is obviously clutch in major moments, but Canada’s general shines brightest when he’s setting up major plays in the attacking third.

• ⚪ Richie Laryea | Left back: Don’t let his defensive position fool you — Laryea’s very strong offensively and can be counted on for precision passes.

• ⚫ Alphonso Davies | Defender: Will the recovering (hamstring) Davies see more than 15 minutes of this WC? Given the captain’s contribution on Monday, we hope so. After all, it’s not about how long you play — it’s what you do in those minutes that matters.

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The GIST: Morocco, a 2022 WC semifinalist, earned their spot in the Round of 16 in the most dramatic fashion soccer has to offer: a penalty shootout. Here’s how it went down on Monday and what Canada can learn from The Atlas Lions’ dub.

✨ Morocco victorious in chaotic match over perennial giant Netherlands: Morocco controlled the tempo of the physical (and bloody) game from the very start, relentlessly creating goal-scoring opportunities, but the Dutch counterattack struck gold first, taking a 1–0 lead in the 72nd minute.

• However, Morocco did not bow down: Center back Issa Diop equalized in the 91st, with the 1–1 score remaining through extra time.

• Both teams traded missed shots and made jaw-dropping saves through the first five penalties before Morocco’s Ismael Saibari buried the winner, knocking the Netherlands out via penalties for the third straight WC.

👀 PK’s aside, here are a few players that could cause trouble for Canada:

• 🔴 Yassine Bounou | Goalkeeper: Bounou was the unsung hero of Monday’s win, making the game-changing penalty save that set up Saibari to win the match.

• 🟢 Achraf Hakimi | Right back: Captain Hakimi is Morocco’s most important player, a creative and fierce goalscorer who will surely test Canada’s defense.

• Of note, Hakimi was charged with rape in France three years ago. On June 24th, an appeals court confirmed there is “sufficient evidence” for a full trial. Hakimi has continued to play for Morocco and denies all allegations.

😅 CanMNT head coach Jesse Marsch said he was ready to “go after a giant” following the team’s win over South Africa, and well, wish granted. Taking down Morocco — a more experienced, efficient, and dynamic team — will be Canada’s toughest task to date, but in a tourney already full of shocking results, nothing is impossible.

Thus far, Marsch has been pushing Canada to play aggressive, offensive football. However, playing more defensively would be a solid strategy against a team like Morocco. Anchored by goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, Canada boasts a strong backline, one that could certainly shut down Morocco.

• If defense is the name of Canada’s game, chances to score against The Atlas Lions will likely be fleeting; capitalizing during the counterattack will be imperative for strikers Jonathan David, Promise David, Cyle Larin or Tani Oluwaseyi.

• That said, consider the cautionary tale of the Netherlands: The Dutch employed an out-of-character defensive tactic against Morocco, which worked…until it didn’t.

🫡 The TL;DR? It will be difficult for CanMNT to defeat Morocco. Canada fell 2–1 to Morocco in the 2022 WC, failing to advance out of the group stage. But you know what they say: Revenge is a dish best served cold.