Eustáquio’s 92nd-minute goal lifts Canada past South Africa at World Cup

Stephen Eustáquio scored in the 92nd minute on Sunday to give Canada a 1-0 victory over South Africa at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, sending the co-hosts into the Round of 16 for the first time in program history.ktla+1

The goal, which came after a headed clearance fell to Eustáquio at the top of the penalty box, broke a scoreless deadlock in stoppage time and delivered what Yahoo Sports called "the biggest moment in Canadian men's soccer history."sports.yahoo

A Tense Affair

The match — the first knockout game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — was a tight contest throughout. South Africa held slightly more possession in the first half, but Canada created the better chances, outshooting Bafana Bafana and pressing for an opener that would not come until the dying moments.cbc+1

Canada star Alphonso Davies started on the substitutes' bench for the second straight match, as manager Jesse Marsch opted for the same approach that yielded a 6-0 group-stage rout of Qatar. Both teams had advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time in their respective histories, having finished second in Groups B and A.foxsports+3

Historic Firsts on Both Sides

For South Africa, reaching the Round of 32 was already considered a triumph. Coach Hugo Broos, whose team qualified with an upset 1-0 win over South Korea in the group stage, had said beforehand that reaching the knockouts met the team's initial goal — though he expressed hope for more.nbcnews

Canada's path through Group B included a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, a draw or win against Switzerland, and the emphatic victory over Qatar that sealed early progression.prizepicks+1

What Comes Next

Canada will face the winner of Monday's Round of 32 clash between the Netherlands and Morocco, scheduled for Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. That Round of 16 matchup will mark the furthest Canada's men's team has ever advanced at a World Cup, surpassing the program's only previous appearance in 1986, when they failed to score a goal or earn a point in the group stage.espn+1