Canada beat South Africa 1-0 with a goal in the dying embers of the game to secure themselves a spot in the final 16.
Jesse Marsch’s side became the first team to progress through the new round of 32 stage, despite a pretty uneventful game.
Canada were unlucky not to lead before the break, having a number of chances from set-pieces which could have been converted from close range.
But it wasn’t until the 92nd minute that Stephan Eustaquio scored Canada’s first ever goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup, securing his country’s place in the next round.
In this article, we’ll cover
Canada’s diamond high block
Marsch’s side set out to defend in a high block, not putting South Africa under pressure immediately from goal kicks or when they had the ball with their keeper.
Instead, the focus was to block central access by setting up in a 4-1-3-2 shape, with the two strikers blocking access to the double pivot.
Nathan-Dylan Saliba would then push forward from the midfield two, making sure if the pivot did receive the ball, they couldn’t easily turn out and play forwards.
Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar both stayed fairly narrow to help block the centre, ready to apply pressure to the full-backs and track runs if they advanced.
South Africa were looking to play at a slower tempo, looking to bait Canada to step out of their high block and apply pressure.
However, even on the few occasions they managed to bait the press in the first half, South Africa were unable to find the spare midfielder (often Teboho Mokoena).
With the front two and Saliba able to shut off the central access between them, South Africa made some adjustments as the game went on.
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South Africa adjustments
After the first hydration break, there were moments where South Africa implemented this idea, but it was especially evident after the halftime switch, taking Relebohile Mofokeng off for Thalente Mbatha.
Instead of having the keeper step up, the full-back advance and a double pivot in the build up, South Africa opted for more of a single pivot.
With the two central defenders split either side of the keeper, South Africa had the 3v2 against Canada’s front two (as they did in the first half).
However, by moving to a more fixed single pivot, Saliba’s pressing role became slightly tougher, as Mokoena was moving forward to give South Africa five in the last line.
South Africa’s plan was still to bait the press, but instead of looking to find access to the centre inside Canada’s high block, they tried to go over it.
With Eustaquio slightly deeper in front of the Canada back four, South Africa would often have a 5v5 once going over the press.
However, similar to the first half, even on the few occasions South Africa did manage to break through/find space, their execution was poor.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi shines
Despite an overall poor showing from South Africa, their 20-year-old young star, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, impressed in defence.
He is extremely calm on the ball, comfortable putting his foot on top of the ball to manipulate passing angles and entice pressure.
Against Canada, Mbokazi made 78/86 passes, with 15/23 in the opposition half and seven of his 15 long balls were accurate.
His use of athleticism is a clear strength of his, whether it be carrying the ball forwards from defence or defending depth.
Mbokazi won six of his eight ground duels in the game, making three tackles, five clearances, one interception and three clearances.
But his shining moment was a recovery inside his own box, reacting first and pouncing on a loose ball while his goalkeeper was off his line.
If it wasn’t for the fast thinking of Mbokazi, Jonathan David would have found himself with an easy tap in, making it 1-0 earlier in the second half.
Stephan Eustaquio saviour
Canada’s new saviour just happens to be their captain, their first ever knockout goal scorer, Eustaquio.
In the first half, Canada’s main threat came from set-pieces, with the delivery of Eustaquio providing a number of chances for them to take the lead.
This is reflected with the 29-year-old’s five key passes in the game, including two big chances created.
But it will be the goal from Eustaquio in the dying embers of the match that steals the headlines.
After a cross from Jacob Shaffelburg didn’t find a man, Eustaquio was first to react to the headed clearance at the edge of the box.
After taking it down on his chest, Eustaquio struck it sweetly with his second touch, finding the bottom left corner and becoming Canada’s hero.
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