Canada has already made World Cup history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time, while Mexico and the USA are on course to exceed their best-ever runs, with home advantage paying dividends for the three co-hosts.
Canada's Historic Run
The glass ceiling for Canada at a World Cup was shattered when they made the knockout stages in style, thrashing Qatar 6-0. A second-place finish in Group B behind Switzerland forced Canada onto American soil for the remainder of the tournament. A first-ever knockout victory against South Africa followed, thanks to Stephen Eustaquio’s late goal in Los Angeles.
A much tougher task awaits in Houston on Saturday when Jesse Marsch’s men face highly-fancied Morocco. Outspoken American Marsch has branded his team “Canadian heroes” just for making it this far and said taking on the 2022 semi-finalists was a “free hit” at more glory.
USA's Resurgence
Any fears that the Americans would fail to show up to their own party have been emphatically swept away as Mauricio Pochettino’s men have energized a nation where football has to fight for its place in the spotlight. A 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32 was the most-watched football match in US television history, averaging 33.5 million viewers across all networks.
The brand of high-energy, attacking football that made Pochettino one of the most sought-after coaches in European football has been successfully implemented at international level. Paraguay, who went on to eliminate Germany to reach the last 16, were blown away in a 4-1 victory that got the US off to a flying start.
Even the sending off of Folarin Balogun, who has been one of their stars of the tournament with three goals, against Bosnia could not derail the USA as the 10 men saw the game out with ease. Even without the suspended Balogun, a last-16 clash with Belgium should hold no fear for Pochettino’s men as they eye the quarter-finals for just the second time.
Mexico's Revival
Swept along by fanatical support in the stadiums and the streets, Mexico have already ended a 40-year wait to win a knockout game by beating Ecuador to make the last 16. El Tri are confident of eliminating England in what could be a World Cup classic on Sunday.
Javier Aguirre’s side made the most of a kind group-stage draw to ease past South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic. But the first-half destruction of Ecuador, who beat Germany in the group stages and finished second to Argentina in South American qualifying, served as a warning to England.
Winger Julian Quinones has been Mexico’s breakout star with three goals in four games, while veteran striker Raul Jimenez broke down in tears after ending his long wait for a World Cup goal in the opening game of the tournament.
