World Cup quick successes: Canadian heroes reach new level, South Korea’s extreme reaction, scenes at Algeria’s home away from home

Canada’s heroes reach the next level, South Korea reacts strongly after exiting the World Cup, and in Algiers, far from home, stunning scenes unfold in Lawrence, Kansas.

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Here are the quick hits from today’s World Cup.

1. Emotional Estakio sees right through Canadian “heroes.”

Steven Estakio was overcome with emotion. (AP Photo: Manu Fernandez)

It looked like Canada would have to endure the agony of extra time.

It seemed that South Africa’s desperate defense was simply insurmountable.

But as the clock reached red and it was time for extra time, Steven Estakio took matters into his own hands and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal.

Eustaquio, a former Portugal junior international, started the game as Canada’s captain and even after Alphonso Davies was late, it was Estakio who took his team to the next round.

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“We worked hard to get this victory, we really wanted to give this victory to all Canadians and we kept believing, we kept pushing,” Estakio said.

“It was an amazing goal, but when I scored, I felt like everyone scored with me. Everyone put in a little effort and the ball hit the back of the net.”

Estaquio has been through an emotional roller coaster over the past couple of years.

His mother Esmeralda died of brain cancer in April 2023, and his father Armando died unexpectedly after a heart attack the following May.

“Everything I do is for my family,” Estacio said.

“For my parents, for my girlfriend, for my daughter, for my brother, for my friends back home, for all of them.”

As for Canadian coach Jesse Marsh, he made his thoughts clear.

“Canadian heroes. The future of sports in this country is huge because of you,” he said.

2. Is Richie’s reputation worth a fine to Canada?

Richie Laria’s reputation may have worked against him. (AP Photo: Manu Fernandez)

At the end of the first half, Canadian Richie Larya fell in the penalty area after a collision with Khuliso Mudau.

Referee Joao Pinheiro brushed aside the Canadians’ protests and VAR agreed with the experienced Portuguese referee.

But was there a case in Canada?

“I would have preferred there to have been a penalty and a recommendation on the field,” former referee Christina Unkel told British broadcaster ITV.

“In my personal opinion, I think it’s a foul and a penalty.”

However, former England international Bradley Wright-Phillips said there was nothing to see there and pointed to the dubious history of Toronto players as a potential reason why the penalty was not awarded.

“At first glance it looks like a penalty,” Wright-Phillips said.

“However, Richie Laria has a long history of buying penalties. If it goes to VAR, you take it back.”

3. Love of Algeria from Lawrence, Kansas.

Dorothy may have remarked that there was no place like home when she dreamed of returning to rural Kansas. And now the Algerian players understand what she meant.

In the small town of Lawrence, about 40 minutes from Kansas City, the Algerian team found a home away from home.

Les Verts use the University of Kansas facilities as their training camp and have been welcomed with open arms by the local community.

Videos of Algeria’s unexpected support for Lawrence went viral. They show emotional scenes of fans – many wearing Algerian scarves, some holding back tears – enjoying the team and the World Cup atmosphere.

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“That first evening, when I saw 500-600 people waiting outside the hotel, I got goosebumps,” said Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic.

“They really wanted to celebrate this moment with our team.

“I hope all neutral countries will support Algeria because it was a great feeling.

“We’ll try to give something back to them.”

Well, after Algeria confirmed their qualifications, the locals greeted the team with fireworks and bangers, reveling in the success of their adopted team.

4. No collusion in the Hitchcock drama between Algeria and Austria

Ahead of the match between Austria and Algeria, it was decided that a draw would benefit everyone as they would both qualify for the next round.

But Austria coach Ralf Rangnick rightly laughed at the fact that the chaotic 3-3 thriller was planned and the dramatic finale was proof enough that there was no collusion.

“In this match, when the score is 3-3, no one can suggest that it was an agreement, especially what we saw in the last 90 seconds,” the 67-year-old said.

The match came to life in stoppage time.

How was the last qualifying place determined?

So much for the chaos of Algeria and Austria’s remarkable group stage finale.

Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez gave his side a 3-2 lead in the 93rd minute, but substitute Sasa Kalajdzic equalized with almost the last touch of the game.

“Three minutes until the game. If someone said this would happen, you would tell them they were angry,” Rangnick said.

“I’ve been coaching for about 40 years and I don’t even remember a match that had such a dramatic development and such an unexpected trajectory.

“The most anticipated score was 0-0 or 1-1, and now 3-3. It’s incredible. The locker room is crazy. If Alfred Hitchcock had written a drama like that, I’d probably say he’s gone completely mad.”

The German dismissed suggestions that both sides were content with a draw at the end of the game, noting that the players continued to press for the winner before Mahrez’s strike.

“Anyone who followed the game over the last 15 minutes will know that there is no indication that the players absolutely wanted a draw,” he said. “I think they wanted to win.

“Nobody can tell me that suddenly in the 93rd minute someone planned: ‘Oh yeah, let’s score another goal.’ I think maybe that was the thought of one or two players in Algeria, but I don’t think that was the case in the rest of the team, and not for me.”

5. The South Korean President allows himself to swear

Hong Myung-bo has resigned from his post as coach following South Korea’s shock exit. (Getty Images: Karl Resin)

Although it was South Africa who started today in the round of 16, many expected South Korea to take their place – not least the country’s president Lee Jae-myung.

On Sunday, Lee criticized the team in a social media post, demanding an investigation following the Taegeuk Warriors’ disappointing exit.

“I’m not just stunned by this unexpected outcome, I’m completely baffled,” Lee wrote on X.

“Once again it has been proven that personnel decisions are everything. When ‘us versus them’ is put above competence and an incompetent person is chosen as leader, the result is as clear as day.”

Consecutive defeats to Mexico and South Africa left South Korea third in Group A, ahead of the top eight third-placed teams to advance to the round of 16.

The reappointment of head coach Hong Myung-bo as national team manager in 2024 has already led to accusations of favoritism and an opaque hiring process from Korean media.

“The reason such appointments fail, failing to distinguish between public and private interests and to place personal gain above the public good, is because it is impossible or difficult to supervise, vet and hold accountable those who have the authority to make the appointment,” Lee wrote.

Hong resigned from his post later on Sunday, posting a petition for his dismissal on the National Assembly website that has already collected the necessary signatures to make a review unnecessary.

ABC/Reuters