Live updates: Intense action early in Canada's World Cup knockout match against South Africa

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It's a fast start from both teams. Canada has begun strongly and is pressing South Africa's players well. Buchanan and Liam Millar look lively around the South African box. 

But that attack from the South Africans highlighted the danger of their pace — Canada's defence will have to be alert to their quick breaks. 

The pro-Canada chants are echoing throughout the stadium — based on the colours you can see in the stands, it definitely appears as if Canada has the home field advantage here.

However, with the collective support comes collective nerves. There was an audible gasp from the crowd when South Africa was able to get a shot on target.

You can feel the tension inside the arena. A lot of joy and confidence before the game, but the stakes seem to be settling in on the fans.

Crépeau has been called into action for the first time today, parrying a shot away with a diving stop. 

Teboho Mokoena's shot bounced in front of and curled away from the Canadian, but Crépeau made the stop.

First foul of the game given against Canada's Tajon Buchanan, who was a bit too aggressive trying to get the ball from the South African opponent.

I'm a reporter in Toronto and I've been covering the World Cup matches at Toronto Stadium as well as watch parties for Team Canada ever since they left the city.

Today, I'm at Canada Soccer House along the waterfront. There are thousands of fans here hoping to witness the team make even more history by advancing to the round of 16.

Some of the people here are rooting for both countries. Salma Moga's family immigrated to Canada from South Africa in 2021. She says her allegiance is primarily to South Africa but her sister is leaning more towards Les Rouge.

Here we go, Canada! Les Rouges kick proceedings off at the Los Angeles Stadium.

The players are now on the field for the anthems. 

Players and coaching staff alike belted out O Canada and there's a significant roar from the crowd immediately after. There could still be some home-field advantage here.

It's around 21 C and sunny in this amazing Los Angeles amphitheatre.

Canada, are you ready?

Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné, whose left leg was broken in the team's June 18 match against Qatar, is on the pitch in crutches before the game. 

Qatar's Assim Madibo was issued a straight red card and given a five-match suspension Wednesday for the tackle that broke Koné's leg. 

Koné underwent surgery on a broken tibia and fibula.

For all of the criticism expanding the World Cup received in the buildup, Africa nations have shown they deserved every additional spot they got.

Of the 10 countries from Africa that qualified for the 2026 World Cup, nine made it into the Round of 32.

Four of those — Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and South Africa — are making their first knockout round appearances ever.

That's made for joyous vibes across the African continent, and Toronto's diaspora got to experience some of that in the group stage — three African teams played a game in the city this month, with two of them (Ghana and Senegal) winning.

Earlier in this World Cup, I spoke to some local fans and Ghanaian players about the pan-African vibes the World Cup brought to the city. You can read more here. 

So, we will have a winner today. 

If that isn't decided after the regulation 90 minutes plus stoppage time, we'll go to 30 minutes of extra time.

If the score is still tied after extra time, the match is decided by the dreaded penalty shootout. If you've never experienced a shootout involving a team you're emotionally invested in, start steeling yourself now — even if it doesn't come to pass. 

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