The Canadian men’s national team is off to the round of 16 at FIFA World Cup 2026.
A stoppage-time screamer from Stephen Eustáquio lifted Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday to begin the round of 32, as Les Rouges triumphed in their first ever knockout match at the World Cup.
With the dramatic win in Los Angeles, Canada are this tournament's first team to move on in the knockout stages. They'll await the winner of Monday night's Netherlands-Morocco clash.
It was a tough match for Jesse Marsch's side, who came agonizingly close to opening the scoring plenty of times throughout both halves. They had a penalty shout denied midway through the first half, plus a number of attempts parried off the goal line by the South African defenders.
Just as the game seemed destined for extra time, however, Eustáquio played hero. In the 92nd minute, Jacob Shaffelburg drove forward on the right flank and sent a cross through the box; the ball landed just outside the penalty area for Eustáquio, who laced a perfect strike into the bottom left corner to spark Canadian delirium.
Canada now advance to the round of 16, set to play either the Netherlands or Morocco next Saturday, July 4 in Houston, Texas.
More to come.
Photo credit: Michael Chisholm/OneSoccer
