Canada’s remarkable World Cup adventure has already secured their team a place in the country’s sporting folklore. On Saturday, they face Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Canada’s Journey

Making only their third World Cup appearance, Canada have captured the imagination of a country more accustomed to celebrating ice hockey heroes than soccer stars. Their talisman Alphonso Davies played his first minutes at the tournament in the round-of-32 victory over South Africa as a 75th-minute substitute and could start in Houston on Saturday.

The pressure that may have burdened Canada before the tournament has largely evaporated and no matter what result they get against Morocco, they have broken numerous records — including earning their first World Cup point and winning their first game.

Morocco’s Ambitions

Morocco, however, are unlikely to be swayed by sentiment. Four years ago in Qatar, they became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, defeating heavyweights Spain and Portugal in their dream run to finish fourth.

Organised, athletic and technically gifted, they have progressed through the competition with the confidence of a team who believe another deep run is possible. Canada are playing in entirely new territory, fuelled by momentum and enthusiasm. Morocco’s squad still contains many of the leaders from their run to the 2022 semi-finals, and that experience could prove decisive.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.