Canada Break South African Hearts With 92nd-Minute Winner to Reach World Cup Last 16

• Stephen Eustaquio scored deep into stoppage time to hand Canada a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Africa, sending the co-hosts into the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in their history.

Stephen Eustaquio emerged as Canada’s hero on Sunday, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 1-0 victory over South Africa national football team in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.

The historic win sends co-hosts Canada national football team into the Round of 16 for the first time ever, ending South Africa’s impressive World Cup journey.

With both nations making their first appearance in the knockout rounds, the tense encounter at Los Angeles Stadium looked destined for extra time after 90 minutes of hard-fought action.

Canada dominated large spells of the match and created several chances, with Eustaquio, Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi all coming close to breaking the deadlock.

South Africa, however, defended resolutely, with captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams producing a series of crucial saves to keep his side in the contest.

The introduction of star defender Alphonso Davies in the 75th minute injected fresh energy into Canada’s attack, as the Bayern Munich star immediately began causing problems down the left flank.

Just when extra time appeared inevitable, Canada found their breakthrough in the second minute of stoppage time.

Jacob Shaffelburg raced down the right wing and delivered a cross that was only partially cleared by the South African defence. The ball fell kindly to Eustaquio, who controlled it with his chest before unleashing a superb first-time strike into the bottom corner.

The goal sparked wild celebrations inside the stadium, with Canada’s bench flooding onto the pitch to celebrate a landmark victory.

Canada will now face either Netherlands or Morocco in the Round of 16 in Houston on July 4.

For South Africa, the defeat brings an end to a memorable World Cup campaign, but Bafana Bafana leave the tournament having made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time.