Eustaquio injury-time goal sends Canada into World Cup last 16 against South Africa

At its second-ever World Cup, Canada is off to the Round of 16 for the first time in its history after a win over South Africa.

LOS ANGELES, United States — Captain Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic injury-time winner as co-hosts Canada beat South Africa 1-0 on Sunday to reach the last 16 of the World Cup, as the knockout stages began at the tournament in North America. With both sides making their first-ever appearance beyond the group stage of a World Cup, a tense last-32 tie appeared to be heading for extra time, before Eustaquio broke South African hearts with a clinical hit from just outside the area in the 92nd minute at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. READ: World Cup: Ecuador edges Germany, […]...Keep on reading: World Cup: Canada beats South Africa to reach last 16 as knockouts begin

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — 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, as the co-hosts advance to 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 hit 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 comes 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, racking up 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 center-back utterly mistimed his headed effort. South Africa threatened sporadically on the counter. But in a frenetic period just before half-time Canada came agonizingly 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 toward Jonathan David -- but defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi just got there first and cleared brilliantly. 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 which was headed clear to Eustaquio. The Porto midfielder -- on loan at Los Angeles FC -- chested the ball down and slammed it first-time into the bottom-left corner. Canada's bench streamed onto the pitch as the stadium erupted, celebrating a historic victory.

Canada advances to face the winner of Netherlands vs. Morocco on July 4 after Stephen Eustáquio's dramatic stoppage-time goal sinks South Africa.

CANADA · WORLD CUP Key Facts —World Cup 2026 Canada: Canada beat South Africa one-nil at Los Angeles Stadium to open the round of thirty-two. —Late winner: Stephen Eustaquio struck in the second minute of stoppage time in front of a crowd of 69,237. —History made: The co-hosts reach a World Cup last sixteen for […] The post World Cup 2026 Canada Beat South Africa to Reach Last 16 appeared first on The Rio Times.

Captain Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic injury-time winner as co-hosts Canada beat South Africa 1-0 on Sunday to reach the last 16 of the World Cup, as the knockout stages began at the tournament in North America.As Canada march on, South Africa go home, their tournament over but still a qualified success after they reached the knockout stages for the first time.