Ottawa soccer fans celebrate Canada's World Cup appearance
Canada’s run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Morocco, but for many soccer fans in Ottawa this was still a victory for the country.
Late in the first half of play, the Canadian men’s national soccer team would score their only goal in the match against Morocco. But it was enough for the nearly 600 students at St. Joseph Catholic High School to jump up and cheer.
"It inspires the youth and it’s just a great experience and it’s amazing to see them at this stage," said Grade 11 student Mario Frangione. "I think now that they’re in it anything is possible."
There was plenty of excitement across the capital region for the third and final game for Canada, who even with a win would not be moving forward, and the energy levels of football fans did not drop.
As Morocco headed into the second half with a 2-1 lead, spectators at the Glebe Central Pub remained positive, loud and kept eyes glued to the many televisions, hoping for a comeback.
"It’s been a dream since I was a young kids to have Canada in the World Cup," says Aaron Hooper. "We belong on the football stage, just like the rest of the world is starting to believe in Canada.”
And as the 71st minute approached, Canada nearly scored again, the pub crowd was rowdy, as the ball bounced on the goal line.
"We’re just really proud. We don’t care, this is a celebration about the game," says Daniel Duff, president of Capital City Supporters Group.
"I’m very proud to see the same people that have turned out a year and a half a go for our qualification runs, they’re out in full force. The loyalists are here deservedly, so everybody is enthusiastic."
In the end, Canada was defeated, but for Duff and so many other fans, it was a triumph. Records were broken on the pitch; the men’s national team scored two goals during the three matches, a feat which has never been done before.
"People have waited generations for it and in true Canadian fashion we’ll do the curtain call as good as anybody else," Duff said. "Our expectations have been modest but we are impressed, we wanted one goal and we got two."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.