**Canada Scores Late to Beat South Africa and Advance to World Cup Last 16 for the First Time**
**Los Angeles, CA – June 28, 2026** – In a thrilling conclusion to their knockout stage match, Canada secured a 1-0 victory over South Africa thanks to a stunning stoppage-time goal by Stephen Eustaquio. This victory marks a historic milestone for Canada, as they advance to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history.
The decisive moment came in the dying minutes of the match when Eustaquio received the ball on the edge of the South African penalty area. With a powerful strike, he sent the ball soaring past South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, igniting celebrations among the Canadian supporters at the Los Angeles Stadium.
Canada's coach, Jesse Marsch, praised his team's resilience and commitment after the match. “It’s about the two years we’ve been together,” he told the players in a post-match huddle. “Think about how we talked about sticking to the plan … you guys showing your character. You guys are Canadian heroes here.”
The match began with both teams displaying cautious strategies, as it was their first experience in the knockout rounds of the World Cup. The first half saw limited scoring opportunities, with Canada coming closest to finding the net just before halftime. A corner kick led to a chaotic scramble in the South African box, where Moise Bombito's header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba. Shortly after, Tajon Buchanan's close-range effort was thwarted by Williams, who made a crucial save.
As the first half drew to a close, Canada appealed for a penalty after Richie Laryea went down in the box. However, after a VAR review, the referee decided against awarding a spot kick, much to the dismay of the Canadian fans, who filled the stands with their passionate support.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with South Africa appearing content to play conservatively, possibly aiming for extra time. Canada struggled to break through South Africa's defense, but they did create a few more chances. A shot from Tani Oluwaseyi was saved by Williams, and Jonathan David's follow-up header was cleared by South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
As the match approached its conclusion, the tension mounted. South Africa made a series of desperate attempts to equalize but were unable to find the back of the net. With the sun breaking through the clouds, Eustaquio's late goal brought relief and joy to the Canadian side, sealing their place in the next round.
Eustaquio expressed his pride in the team's achievement and dedicated the win to “all Canadians.” He reflected on the importance of belief in their journey, stating, “I think it was an amazing goal. When I shot, I thought everyone shot with me. Everyone added a little power to it when it went into the back of the net. [The belief] started when we came out of the group stage. Belief is a big part of it. We will now get either Netherlands or Morocco. Anything can happen. If we keep working like we are doing, we might even win it.”
Looking ahead, Canada will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the quarterfinals on July 4 in Houston. The team's historic win against South Africa has not only boosted their confidence but has also captured the hearts of fans across the nation, as they continue to dream of further success in the tournament.