Mexico City (AFP) – Canada have already made World Cup history, while Mexico and the USA are also on course to beat their best ever runs in the tournament as home advantage has paid dividends. AFP Sports looks at how all three co-hosts have thrived while others have struggled with the sprawling tournament spread over three countries and 17 cities.
**Mexico**
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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.
Now in his third spell in charge, Aguirre is aiming to achieve where he failed in 2002 and 2010 by taking Mexico to the quarter-finals, matching their best ever World Cup performance on home soil in 1970 and 1986. “I can tell you that this team deserves what is happening,” he said after a reported 1 million people took to the streets of Mexico City to celebrate the win over Ecuador. “This big connection with the fans and playing the World Cup.”
**USA**
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 energised 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.
**Canada**
The glass ceiling for Canada at a World Cup was shattered when they made the knockout stages, and in some style, as they thrashed Qatar 6-0. A second-place finish in Group B behind Switzerland meant Canada were forced onto American soil for the remainder of the tournament. A first ever knockout victory followed against South Africa, thanks to Stephen Eustaquio’s late strike in Los Angeles.
A much tougher task awaits in Houston on Saturday when highly-fancied Morocco face Jesse Marsch’s men. 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.
© 2024 AFP
