FootballSports
Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time winner fired Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday in the first match of the World Cup knockout rounds, sending the co-hosts into the last 16 for the first time in their history
With both sides making their first-ever appearance in the knockout phase, the game appeared to be heading for extra time before Eustaquio broke South African hearts with a clinical strike from just outside the area
Canada – playing in Los Angeles despite being co-hosts after failing to win their group – will now face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston in the last 16 on July 4, as South Africa’s World Cup adventure came to an end
Before the game, coach Jesse Marsch had talked up the “X-factor” of Canada’s star Alphonso Davies, available again after a hamstring injury
But the Bayern Munich wing-back, who was yet to appear at this World Cup, remained glaringly absent from the starting line-up
Still, Canada began on the front foot, creating chances against South Africa’s low block
In the 22nd minute, a pinpoint Eustaquio free-kick found Derek Cornelius wide open on the six-yard line. The Canada centre-back completely mistimed his header
South Africa threatened sporadically on the counter. But in a frenetic spell just before half-time, Canada came agonisingly close
From a corner, Moise Bombito’s header was cleared off the line before Tajon Buchanan’s follow-up shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams
Moments later, Khuliso Mudau crashed into the dangerous Richie Laryea, but his penalty appeals were waved away
That enraged a heavily Canadian crowd, and the jeers grew louder after half-time as South Africa were content to exchange deep passes under little pressure while the clock ticked down
Just past the hour mark, Canada came close again
Substitute Niko Sigur slid a through ball to Tani Oluwaseyi, whose shot was well saved by the goalkeeper and looped up towards Jonathan David – but defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi got there first and cleared brilliantly
Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Switzerland edge past Canada in Group B decider
In the 75th minute, Davies finally appeared to a huge roar and made an immediate impact
From the left wing, Davies found Jonathan David, who laid the ball to fellow striker – and no relation – Promise David, but his shot went wide
Moments later, Davies found Jonathan David again. This time he shot from a tight angle but was denied by Williams
In the second minute of stoppage time, Canada finally broke through from the other flank
Jacob Shaffelburg raced down the right wing and pinged in a cross that was headed clear to Eustaquio
The Porto midfielder – on loan at Los Angeles FC – brought the ball down on his chest and slammed a first-time shot into the bottom-left corner
Canada’s bench streamed onto the pitch as the stadium erupted, celebrating a historic victory
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