Canada’s Stephen Eustaquio celebrates scoring their first purpose with teammates. — Reuters/File
Stephen Eustaquio hammered house a rasping strike from the sting of the penalty space within the 92nd minute to present Canada a 1-0 victory over South Africa on Sunday, propelling the co-hosts into the World Cup final 16 for the primary time of their historical past.
Eustaquio obtained the ball on the sting of the South Africa penalty space and powered it previous diving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in an exhilarating conclusion to the primary knockout-round match of the World Cup.
South Africa, who had had appeared content material to play for additional time and a potential penalty shootout, made a number of livid however unsuccessful makes an attempt to degree earlier than the ultimate whistle because the solar broke by way of the clouds at Los Angeles Stadium.
Canada will subsequent face both the Netherlands or Morocco on July 4 in Houston for a spot within the quarter-finals.
“We just kept believing, we kept pushing and I think we couldn’t have imagined it any other way,” Eustaquio stated.
“It was an amazing goal. When I shot it, I felt everybody shot it with me. Everybody put a little bit of power on it, and it went to the back of the net, so I’m very happy.”
Canada coach Jesse Marsch stated his staff had probabilities all through the match however weren’t “lethal enough”.
“And then it falls to Steph and I just hope he’ll put it on frame and give it a chance and he buries it,” Marsch stated.
“The hard work from these guys, the character — they’re Canadian heroes. That’s what I told them at the end. They are now Canadian heroes. I’m so happy for them.”
Tense match in LA
Possibilities had been scarce in a cagey first half, with little to separate the edges, who had been each taking part in within the knockout rounds for the primary time.
Canada’s greatest opening got here simply earlier than halftime when a nook sparked a scramble within the South Africa field, Moise Bombito sending a header goalward that was cleared off the road by Aubrey Modiba earlier than Tajon Buchanan’s close-range effort struck Williams within the chest.
Moments later, Richie Laryea went down within the space, prompting Canadian appeals for a penalty, however the choice to not award a spot kick stood after a VAR evaluate, prompting loud boos from Canada’s red-clad military of supporters, who dominated the stands.
South Africa’s Thalente Mbatha and teammate appears dejected after the match as South Africa are eradicated from the World Cup. — Reuters/File
Marsch continued to protest because the groups left the sector at halftime, with Bombito showing to induce him away from the referee.
Frustration grew for Canada within the second half as South Africa confirmed little urgency to press ahead whereas sustaining an impenetrable defence.
Canada had one other likelihood simply earlier than the second half hydration break when Tani Oluwaseyi’s shot hit the keeper and Jonathan David was unable to move the ricochet house due to a wonderful defensive effort by Mbekezeli Mbokazi to clear the ball.
However Eustaquio’s strike deep in stoppage time ended Canada’s torment and despatched their supporters into raptures.
Having superior from the group stage for the primary time in three World Cup appearances, the co-hosts needed to play their first recreation exterior Canada at this 12 months’s World Cup on Sunday, with solely three days’ relaxation after a disappointing 2-1 defeat by Switzerland of their closing group-stage match on Wednesday.
‘We will be prepared’
Canada, who’ve battled accidents, had been boosted by Bombito’s return to the beginning lineup and captain Alphonso Davies’s comeback off the bench, the Bayern Munich large participant offering a second-half spark in his 2026 World Cup debut.
Marsch stated he was flying to Mexico in a while Sunday to see the Netherlands tackle Morocco at Estadio Monterrey on Monday.
“We’re going to be ready to throw everything we have at a giant,” he stated.
South Africa can maintain their heads excessive after reaching the knockout stage for the primary time in 4 makes an attempt, although they are going to rue a tame exit.
“Everyone is sad,” stated Teboho Mokoena, who added he had come agonisingly near stopping the winner.
“If I had taken three more steps, I could have stopped that shot,” he stated.
The match marked the World Cup finale for 74-year-old South Africa coach Hugo Broosand doubtlessly brings down the curtain on a profession spanning greater than 5 many years as each a participant and supervisor.
“I will see in the next days what I will do for the future,” he stated.
“For sure, this is my last World Cup.”
