Canada beat South Africa 1-0 as Eustáquio strikes in stoppage time to reach the last 16
Stephen Eustáquio's 92nd-minute goal sent Canada into the 2026 World Cup last 16 at the expense of a South Africa side that came within touching distance of extra time at SoFi Stadium.
Canada beat South Africa 1-0 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, one of the flagship venues of the 2026 World Cup, in the first round-of-32 tie of the knockout stage. The modern Los Angeles-area arena, opened in 2020 and holding 70,492 spectators, staged a tight contest settled at the death that sends the co-hosts into the last 16 of this 48-team World Cup staged by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The match was a cagey tactical battle with few openings. Jesse Marsch set up Canada in a 4-4-2 with Maxime Crépeau in goal, while Hugo Broos countered with a South African 4-2-3-1 anchored by captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Bafana Bafana stood firm and dragged the tie towards an agonising finish, with extra time looming ever larger.
Just as a goalless draw seemed bound for extra time, up stepped Stephen Eustáquio. In the 92nd minute, the Canadian midfielder finished to spark delight among the Reds' supporters and seal the 0-1. The stoppage-time goal was the only reward in a game in which Canada had built up tension, reflected in bookings for Nathan Saliba (54') and Niko Sigur (67').
South Africa, who had reached the last 32 as group runners-up, leave the 2026 World Cup feeling they came agonisingly close to forcing extra time against more seasoned opponents. Broos's side tried through substitutes Mofokeng, Makgopa and Maseko but could not find a way past Crépeau.
With this hard-fought win, Canada advance to the round of 16 and keep the party going for one of the three host nations. Eustáquio's last-minute goal opens the Reds' path in a single-elimination phase where there is no room for error.