How can Canada beat Morocco? It could be found in Promise David’s sublime group-stage goal

If there’s a reason for Canada’s men to believe they can beat Morocco on Saturday, it’s most easily found in Promise David’s singular moment against Switzerland.

His goal, from inception to completion, was one of this World Cup’s great goals. It also came against a better, more organized side, in the game that provided Canada with its best preparation for the Round of 16. 

If David’s achievement was diminished by the eventual loss, it should now be remembered for its wonder.

That’s what separates belief from hope: Belief has corroborating evidence.

The Canadians had held the Swiss scoreless until halftime. If they were offered the same against sixth-ranked Morocco, they would take it. Head coach Jesse Marsch had thought about starting the second half with five back but decided against it, another lesson to carry into Saturday.

Five back might be the wiser plan against Morocco.

Switzerland scored early in the second frame and then again, capitalizing on a pair of defensive breakdowns, two mental errors rather than physical ones. Those are correctable, too. The game seemed lost for Canada.

That’s when Luc de Fougerolles, the ascendant 20-year-old defender, picked up the ball inside his own half. He was in the game only because Moïse Bombito was injured, and he looked down the field and saw 22-year-old Nathan Saliba, in the game only because Ismaël Koné was injured, too.

Opportunity beckoned for both, and the young reserves connected on a 40-yard pass.

“The centre back wasn’t quite covered over, and Saliba ran into the space,” de Fougerolles remembered before Thursday’s sweltering training session in Houston. “I think I overhit it a bit, but he managed to do unbelievably to take out his guy and then do another one touch to