South Africa vs. Canada prediction, odds: World Cup picks & best bet for Knockout Stage

The World Cup knockout stage brings us an intriguing opening matchup on Sunday between South Africa and Canada. Both sides advanced after finishing second in their respective groups, but their paths couldn’t have been more different.Bafana Bafana overcame South Korea in dramatic fashion to clinch a spot in the Round of 32 after two disappointing showings in earlier group play against Mexico and Czechia.

Many had counted them out, but Thapelo Maseko’s strike in the 63rd minute clinched their first-ever trip to the knockout round. Canada seemed to have first place in Group B within reach after tying Bosnia in the opener, followed by Jonathan David’s elusive hat trick, which propelled Les Rouges to a 6-1 win over Qatar.However, that was short-lived, as they lost to Switzerland 2-1 in their group-play finale, missing out on a chance to host an opponent in host city Vancouver.At this stage of the tournament, teams tend to play with much more patience, methodically working their way through the flow of the game to score goals.

Canada has the clear edge, but it’s the unpredictability of Bafana Bafana that makes this one closer than their +400 underdog odds suggest. Hugo Broos praised his team for adjusting its defensive intensity against South Korea and using longer passes to set up their forwards in space.The result was a gutsy, hallmark win that qualified them for this stage of the tournament for the first time.  Built for match days and everyday wear, this officially licensed USMNT tee brings classic national pride wherever you go.

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