Canada booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 1-0 victory over South Africa in the opening Round of 32 match.
Eustaquio found the breakthrough in the 92nd minute, firing home from the edge of the box to hand the co-hosts their first-ever World Cup knockout-stage victory and a place in the last 16.
The tightly contested encounter produced few clear-cut chances, with South Africa putting in a disciplined defensive display and looking dangerous on the counterattack. The match appeared destined for extra time before Eustaquio’s late strike settled the contest.
Canada, boosted by the return of key players including Alphonso Davies from injury, will now face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the Round of 16.
For South Africa, the defeat brought an end to a memorable World Cup campaign. Bafana Bafana had reached the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history after defeating South Korea during the group stage, but their hopes of progressing further were dashed by Canada’s late winner.
