World Cup: Canada breaks through to knock out South Africa

INGLEWOOD — If Stephen Eustáquio’s lasting memory of his time in Southern California did not happen during a six-month loan to the Los Angeles Football Club, it will be easy to understand why.

With two days left on his loan from FC Porto to the Major League Soccer side, Eustáquio drilled a game-winning goal in the 92nd minute to seal Canada’s first World Cup knockout round victory, stopping upstart South Africa, 1-0.

The explosive finish will be what people remember about the opening match of the knockout stage for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, as neither side played much attractive soccer beforehand.

“I think that our structure and our discipline and our commitment to make the game hard on them was what won us the match,” Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said.

South Africa, second in Group A, defended with numbers and tried to push forward with the odd counterattack.

Canada, second in Group B, defended higher up the field but appeared as offensively deficient as their African opponents until the final stage of the game.

“We knew that being compact and organized so South Africa couldn’t get themselves out into open spaces was really important,” Marsch said. “We could have made life easier on ourselves if we made a play earlier when we had some big chances, but obviously the timing of the goal means that the win is incredibly dramatic and I think the effect that it will have in Canada and the inspiring of people will be immense.”

With half an hour of extra time and the possibility of penalty kicks looming, Eustáquio, the Canadian vice-captain, bailed out his nation after another LAFC player, Jacob Shaffelburg, who entered the match in the 70th minute, saw his cross from the right side headed away by a defender to the top of the box.

“I’m happy that Steph was there to make me look better,” Shaffelburg said.

Chesting the ball down, Eustáquio’s half volley beat South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams at the far post.

“I felt that everybody shot that ball with me,” Eustáquio said, “so I’m very happy that it went to the back of the net.”

Marsch, a 52-year-old native of Racine, Wisc., described the midfielder as “one of the people in the team that I think is the most reliable and understands what we’re trying to achieve as a group and understands how to manage moments and games and to be a true leader.”

Prior to the dramatic end, set pieces generally taken by Eustáquio, who is set to return to his club in Portugal, provided Canada their best opportunities in front of an announced crowd of 69,237.

In the 44th minute, a corner kick found Moise Bombito’s head. That attempt was cleared off the line by South African Aubrey Modiba and the ball rattled around the six-yard box, where forward Tajon Buchanan’s shot was denied by Williams.

The Canadian faithful thought their side earned a penalty kick a moment later when Richie Lareya went down in the box. However, a video review did not yield the shot Jesse Marsch’s team argued for because defender Khuliso Mudau established position first by planting his foot into the grass.

In its final group stage match versus Switzerland, the Canadians were slow coming out of the locker room and conceded twice in a defeat that cost them first place in the group, a few days’ rest, and the grand chance to play twice more in Vancouver.

“We were disappointed to have to leave Canada given the fanfare and passion around everything for the World Cup and our team,” Marsch said. “But the guys quickly refocused and knew that this was a massive opportunity and wanted to seize it. It took us 92 minutes but that’s what they did.”

As the first World Cup host ever to play outside their country, Canada weren’t much better following the break in L.A. But South Africa could not make them pay.

“We have to be honest that today we lost the game because there was a lack of power and speed in our team,” said 74-year-old South Africa head coach Hugo Broos. “When I compared that with our opponent, we lost a lot of duels, man against man, and the speed in our team – not only running speed but speed of execution – when you see how quick it went with Canada and how long we took building up to make a decision, those are things we have to work on.”

Canada nearly broke through in the 65th minute when Tani Oluwaseyi battled with a defender during a driving run into the box. His shot deflected off the South African goalkeeper’s right knee, and the rebound was cleared by defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi before Juventus forward Jonathan David could wrap his foot around another shot.

As the second half ticked away, the Canadians ramped up pressure, especially when Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies replaced Buchanan with a quarter hour remaining.

Davies did not appear in Canada’s three group stage games as he rebuilt his strength following injury that kept him out of action since early May.

“When Alphonso comes in I know it’s a big boost for the team,” Eustáquio said. “Obviously he’s one of the best left backs in the world and the best player we have on our team.”

Said Davies: “To be able to see the ball go into the back of the net and celebrate with the team is something truly amazing.”

Despite missing midfielder Ismaël Koné, who fractured his leg in Canada’s second group stage match against Qatar, the return of Davies and the continued progression of Bombito reaffirmed Marsch’s impression that his group can grow as the tournament continues.

While South Africa must return home, Canada earned the right to meet the winner between Morocco and the Netherlands in the Round of 16 on July 4 in Houston.

“We tried to make Morocco and Netherlands see our game and feel that if they go through, they’re going to get the hardest team that they’re going to face in this World Cup,” Eustáquio said. “I think we did a very good job, so it’s going to be an amazing game next week.”