Canada score late to beat South Africa and reach last 16 at World Cup 2026

Stephen Eustaquio scores in stoppage time as Canada win first knockout match in a World Cup.Canada beat South Africa 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time strike by Stephen ⁠Eustaquio from distance to reach the FIFA World Cup last 16 for the first time in their history.Eustaquio received the ball on the edge of the ⁠South Africa penalty area and hammered it past diving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in a thrilling conclusion to the first knockout-round match of the tournament on Sunday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4World Cup: Top 5 biggest takeaways from the group stagelist 2 of 4Iran bow out of World Cup: Late drama ends Team Melli’s knockout dreamlist 3 of 4Who’s playing whom in the World Cup 2026 last-32 knockout phase?list 4 of 4World Cup: Messi sends Argentina top, England to face DR Congo, Iran outend of listSouth Africa, who had seemed ⁠content to play for extra time and a possible penalty shootout, made a few furious but unsuccessful attempts to level before the final whistle as the sun broke through the clouds at Los Angeles Stadium.Canada will next face either the Netherlands or Morocco on July ‌4 in Houston for a place in the quarterfinals.“It’s about the two years we’ve been together,” Canada coach Jesse Marsch told the team in a huddle after the final whistle.“Think about how we talked about sticking to the plan – you guys showing your character. You guys are Canadian heroes here.”Chances were scarce in a cagey first half, with little to separate the sides, who were both playing ⁠in the knockout rounds for the first time.Canada’s best opening ⁠came just before half-time when a corner sparked a scramble in the South Africa box. Moise Bombito sent a header goal-wards, which was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba, before Tajon Buchanan’s close-range effort struck ⁠Williams in the chest.Moments later, Richie Laryea went down in the area, prompting Canadian appeals for a penalty, but the decision ⁠not to award a spot kick stood after a ⁠VAR review, prompting loud boos from Canada’s red-clad army of supporters dominating the stands.