Canada went thirty-six years between World Cups without scoring a goal. This week we drew the whole story, from that scoreless 1986 debut through to the moment it finally turned. One new piece below, plus an old favourite worth another look while the tournament runs.
Canada at the World Cup: a history
Three appearances, and for most of them, nothing to show. Three losses without a goal in 1986. A 36-year gap. Alphonso Davies’ record-fast opener against Croatia in 2022, in a game Canada still lost. Then, as co-hosts this summer, a first-ever World Cup knockout win, 1-0 over South Africa, both sides chasing a first knockout appearance and only one getting it. New this week, the full arc from nothing to something.
Read it → https://thearchv.ca/explainers/canada-at-the-world-cup/
The biggest upsets in World Cup history
Worth a return visit with the knockout rounds in full swing. The USA beating England in 1950, Cameroon knocking out the holders in 1990, Senegal doing the same to France in 2002, Saudi Arabia ending Argentina’s tournament before it started in 2022. The gap between the favourites and everyone else has never been as small as the seeding suggests, and this World Cup keeps proving it.
Read it → https://thearchv.ca/explainers/biggest-world-cup-upsets/
A note on the live window: the field is down to the last eight nations, several of the pre-tournament favourites already out. Every shock like that is the piece above earning its keep.
That’s this week. If there’s an era, a club, or a final you want drawn next, just reply and tell us. We read every one.
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