Stephen Eustáquio’s last-minute goal propelled Canada to a thrilling 1-0 victory over South Africa on Monday AEST, marking the start of the World Cup knockout stage. This win grants the co-hosts their first-ever advancement to the round of 16.
Both teams, making their inaugural appearances in the knockout rounds, seemed destined for extra time until Eustáquio delivered a decisive strike from just outside the penalty area, shattering South African hopes.
Despite jointly hosting, Canada found themselves playing in Los Angeles after not clinching their group. They now prepare to face either the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on July 4th, while South Africa’s World Cup journey concludes.
Coach Jesse Marsch had earlier spotlighted the “X-factor” provided by Canada’s star player, Alphonso Davies, who had recovered from a hamstring injury and was eager to shine once more.
Yet, the Bayern Munich wing-back, who had not made an appearance at this World Cup, was noticeably absent from the starting roster.
Still, Canada began on the front foot, racking up chances against South Africa’s low block.
In the 22nd minute, a pinpoint Eustáquio free-kick found Derek Cornelius wide open on the six-yard line. The Canadian centre-back utterly mistimed his headed effort.
South Africa threatened sporadically on the counter. But in a frenetic period just before half-time, Canada came agonisingly close.
From a corner, Moise Bombito’s header was cleared off the line before Tajon Buchanan’s follow-up shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Moments later, Khuliso Mudau crashed into the dangerous Richie Laryea, but his penalty appeals were waved away.
That enraged a heavily Canadian crowd, and the jeers grew louder after half-time as South Africa were content to exchange deep passes under little pressure while the clock ticked down.
Just past the hour mark, Canada came close again.
Substitute Niko Sigur slid a through ball to Tani Oluwaseyi, whose shot was well-saved by the goalkeeper and looped up toward Jonathan David — but defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi just got there first and cleared brilliantly.
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In the 75th minute, Davies finally appeared, to a huge roar, and made an immediate impact.
From the left wing, Davies found Jonathan David, who laid the ball to fellow striker — and no relation — Promise David, but his shot went wide.
Moments later, Davies found Jonathan David again. This time he shot from a tight angle, but was denied by Williams.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Canada finally broke through, from the other flank.
Jacob Shaffelburg raced down the right wing and pinged in a cross, which was headed clear to Eustáquio.
The Porto midfielder — on loan at Los Angeles FC — chested the ball down and slammed it first-time into the bottom-left corner.
Canada’s bench streamed onto the pitch as the stadium erupted, celebrating a historic victory.
— With reporting by the Reuters news agency and Agence-France Presse.
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