Stephen Eustaquio’s goal for Canada in injury time has ended South Africa’s World Cup 2026 campaign.
In the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 clash on Sunday 28 June, 2026, Canada emerged victorious by a lone goal over South Africa at Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, United States (US).
This means Canada have progressed to the round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time.
In a dull encounter that featured almost no clear-cut chances, and with extra-time drawing nigh, Eustaquio, who fields for Major League Soccer (MLS) Club, Los Angeles FC, on loan from Primera Liga club, FC Porto, displayed some quality with a beautiful low strike from the edge of the penalty area to earn the Canadians the triumph.
Canada had never recorded victory in the World Cup until this tournament, the North American side had been defeated in all their six (6) World Cup matches prior to the 2026 tournament. Their 2026 campaign moves on following the win over the Bafana Bafana from a goal in the 2nd minute of additional time.
The Reds qualified for the Round of 32 with four (4) points from Group B. They finished 1-1, 6-0 and 1-2 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland in the preliminaries. Canada’s victory over Qatar was the country’s first success in a finals.
The outcome also means, Canada have emerged the first team to reach the World Cup 2026 last 16, and they will lock horns with whoever wins between Netherlands or Morocco in Houston, US on Saturday 4 July, 2026.
The South Africans had ended their Group A well, finishing second with four (4) points, behind co-hosts, Mexico, however, the African side, who were dominant for a large portion of the showdown, produced a disappointing performance in California with just one (1) shot on target.
Canada had more shots on target with seven (7), as well as, clinched their spot in the last 16 of the tournament, dumping out South Africa.
Photo: Players of Canada celebrate after defeating South Africa in California, US to reach the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 | Getty Images
