- South Africa vs Canada: Stephen Eustaquio scored the winner in the second minute of stoppage time with a superb low volley to seal a dramatic victory.
- The 1-0 triumph sent co-hosts Canada into the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 while eliminating Bafana Bafana from the tournament.
- Canada will now face the winner of the Netherlands vs Morocco clash in the Round of 16.
Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as co-hosts Canada stunned resilient South Africa 1-0 to eliminate them from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, booking their place in the Round of 16.
It took everything from Canada, who squandered chances in both halves, until the 92nd minute to finally breach South Africa’s stubborn defense.
The visitors sat deep, perhaps hoping to force penalties, having already made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time. But it was the host nation that snatched the win and cruised into the last 16.
Canada will now prepare to face the winner between the Netherlands and Morocco in the Round of 16 next week.
Canada dominated possession and created promising opportunities throughout the match. One of the best chances came in the first half when they won a free-kick on the left flank, about 35 metres from goal.
Eustaquio delivered a perfect cross into the box, with Derek Cornelius rising unmarked in the area.
All he needed was to direct his header either side of a scrambling Ronwen Williams, but instead he nodded it straight at the goalkeeper as the game remained cagey.
Just a minute before halftime, Canada earned their third corner of the match. Eustaquio swung the ball in from the left, and Moise Bombito met it with a header that was brilliantly cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba.
The danger was not over as the loose ball dropped invitingly inside the six-yard box. Tani Oluwaseyi and Alistair Johnston both tried to force it home, but Williams produced another outstanding smothering save at his near post to deny the Canadians yet again.
Four minutes after the hour mark, Sigur played a brilliant pass to Oluwaseyi, who burst through the left inside channel.
With a defender closing him down, he attempted to beat the advancing Williams. The goalkeeper made the save, sending the rebound looping towards Jonathan David, but Mbekezeli Mbokazi recovered superbly to hold off the striker before hooking the ball away for a corner.
It was a magnificent piece of defending that denied Canada what looked like a certain goal. The resulting corner was floated into the area, but South Africa managed to clear the danger once more.
South Africa defended with everything they had throughout regulation time, only to concede in stoppage time through a marvelous strike from Stephen Eustaquio.
The decisive moment came after Jacob Shaffelburg made a dangerous run down the left flank before sending a deep cross into the penalty area.
A South African defender managed to head the ball clear under immense pressure, but the clearance fell kindly to Eustaquio at the edge of the box.
The Canadian midfielder calmly brought it down with his chest before unleashing a magnificent low volley that flew beyond Ronwen Williams and nestled into the bottom corner to seal a historic 1-0 victory.
South Africa vs Canada – Round of 32 line-ups (Sunday, June 28)
- South Africa starting XI: Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Teboho Mokoena, Yaya Sithole, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Thapelo Maseko, Evidence Makgopa.
- Canada starting XI: Maxime Crépeau, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Moïse Bombito, Liam Millar, Nathan Saliba, Tajon Buchanan, Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026