Ottawa soccer fans proud of Canada's showing at World Cup
Canadian soccer fans erupted into cheers inside Ottawa’s Glebe Central Pub when Canada scored their first goal at a men's world cup, just minutes into the game Sunday.
Ottawa's Eldrinson Vado was overcome with emotion.
“When you’ve been a football fan for more than 20 years to see Canada score is a really special moment you can’t control it,” said Vado.
“I think I blacked out for a second,” said Eddie Behin. “I can’t believe we scored that soon.”
The historic moment was something one Canadian soccer player has been waiting decades to see.
“Just being there is a success; scoring a goal is incredible,” said Atletico Ottawa’s Carl Hawthorne. “Look around, it just shows how far soccer has come in the country in the city.”
The goal by Alphonso Davies was the first for a Canadian man at the international tournament.
But Canada's joy was short-lived, as Croatia moved into the lead, eventually winning 4-1.
“We’re disappointed but we’re still proud, we’re still cheering,” said supporter Ejamil Mbae. “It’s been, what, 36 years since we made it to the World Cup?”
The loss means Team Canada has been eliminated from advancing in the tournament, but fans were still buzzing about the team's performance on the global stage.
“We more than showed we deserve to be there,” said supporter Sarah Rutherford.
The team still has one game left to play in Group F before heading home. They’ll face Morocco on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Loblaw ends No Name price freeze, vows 'flat' pricing 'wherever possible'
Loblaw will not be extending its price freeze on No Name brand products, but vows to keep the yellow label product-pricing flat 'wherever possible.'

Discovery in Canadian lab could help laptop, phone and car batteries last longer
A chance discovery in a Canadian laboratory could help extend the life of laptop, phone and electric car batteries.
Woman detained in Syria says Ottawa is forcing her to make agonizing choice in order to get her kids to Canada
A woman held in a detention camp in Syria, along with her three Canadian children, says the federal government is forcing her to make an agonizing choice: relinquish custody of her kids so they can be repatriated to Canada, or keep them in the camp where the conditions are dire. Her children are eligible for repatriation but she is not a Canadian citizen.
15 students in Mexico treated after taking part in online 'challenge' involving tranquilizers
Fifteen grade school students in Mexico have been treated after apparently taking part in an internet 'challenge' in which groups of students take tranquilizers to see who can stay awake the longest.
Cheaters beware: ChatGPT maker releases AI detection tool
The maker of ChatGPT is trying to curb its reputation as a freewheeling cheating machine with a new tool that can help teachers detect if a student or artificial intelligence wrote that homework.
Still no answers on yearslong bread price-fixing scandal: law professor
More than five years since Canada’s Competition Bureau began an investigation into an alleged bread-price fixing scheme, no conclusions have been drawn nor charges laid. As the watchdog is now probing whether grocery stores are profiting from inflation, one expert says the effectiveness of its tools are in question.
Jeopardy! dedicates entire category to Ontario but one question stumps every contestant
Jeopardy! turned the spotlight on Ontario on Monday night with a category entirely dedicated to the province. One question stumped every contestant.
U.S. launches second USMCA dispute panel as dairy battle with Canada goes to Round 2
The United States is filing another formal dispute over what it considers Canada's failure to live up to its trade obligations to American dairy farmers and producers.
Boeing bids farewell to an icon, delivers last 747 jumbo jet
Boeing bids farewell to an icon on Tuesday: It's delivering its final 747 jumbo jet.