Canada Continues World Cup Quest

Quillan Roberts (#18) celebrates his England equalizer for Canada.

Canada doesn’t control its own destiny heading into the final Group C match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico, but a victory against Rwanda (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET on CBC Bold and CBC.ca online stream) could potentially put them through to the Round of 16.

Toronto FC Academy keeper Quillan Roberts grabbed international headlines when he scored an unlikely but thrilling equalizer in Canada’s 2-2 draw against England on Wednesday. The Toronto native launched a 60-yard volley toward the England goal that bounced over the head of his opposition number, Sunderland's Jordan Pickford, on way to earning Canada its first point in this tournament.

RELATED: MLS Doubleheader on GOL TV Canada

Rwanda enters its final group match without a point, but was unlucky to lose to Uruguay 1-0 on Wednesday at the fifth minute of stoppage time. The African side will want to take something from this Mexican adventure and remains mathematically in the running for the next round.

FIFA.com confirmed that Roberts is the first goalkeeper to score a goal “at any FIFA world finals.” Canada’s performance – despite a 3-0 loss to cultured Uruguay in the opening match – has been called “a breath of fresh air” in Mexico. The team coached by Sean Fleming has abandoned the country’s traditional direct football tactics in favour of a possession-oriented attack. The margin of defeat against Uruguay however, could cost the Canadians advancement even with a victory Saturday.

Roberts’ former Toronto FC Academy teammate, Keven Aleman, continues to receive praise for his abilities, while Parker Seymour, Michael Petrasso, Omari Morris and Sergio Camargo – all from TFC – have featured in this tournament for Canada.

Two other Toronto players, backup keeper Chad Bush and forward Jay Chapman, have yet to be involved. An eighth young Red, defender Tyler Pasher, was sent home due to a concussion.