INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In many ways, Canada’s 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday was the perfect curtain-raiser for the first-ever World Cup round of 32.
Both teams were making their World Cup knockout-round debuts. Canada, ranked No. 32 by FIFA, cautiously expected to be here. South Africa, at 54, was punching above its weight. The programs had combined to win just four World Cup matches in tournament history entering the afternoon.




