Canada booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match of the knockout stage on Sunday night.
🚨 HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME! 📲
A woman dropping her phone. 😂
🇿🇦 South Africa 0-0 Canada 🇨🇦
🎥 @MarkCAFC1905 pic.twitter.com/XT28qOPfEx
— Polymarket FC (@PolymarketFC) June 28, 2026
Stephen Eustáquio emerged as the hero, scoring a stoppage-time winner in the 92nd minute to send Canada through and make history as the first nation to reach the last 16 of the expanded tournament.
🚨 Stephen Eustaquio's goal in South Africa vs Canada 🇨🇦
— Sports on Predict (@predictdotsport) June 28, 2026
The two sides produced a tightly contested encounter throughout the 90 minutes, with both teams creating chances but failing to find a breakthrough.
*You can only celebrate your country’s goals*
Africans celebrating Canada's 92nd winner against South Africa:
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) June 28, 2026
Just as extra time appeared inevitable, Canada capitalized on a late opportunity, with Eustáquio finding the decisive goal to seal a memorable victory.
Football can be beautiful and brutal. 🇿🇦💔
South Africa started with defeat and two red cards against Mexico, still defied the odds to reach the knockouts for the first time, and held Canada until the 92nd minute. 👏 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/9SZyQ2UQNZ
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 29, 2026
The result marks Canada's first-ever qualification for the Round of 16 at a FIFA World Cup, continuing an impressive campaign after advancing from the group stage.
⚽🔥 Stephen Eustaquio became Canada’s hero with a stoppage-time winner in the second half, sealing a 1-0 victory over South Africa in the Round of 32 match in Inglewood, California. The midfielder struck in the 92nd minute after pouncing on a poor headed clearance and firing a… pic.twitter.com/WAAxBIKpD7
— The Daily Jagran (@TheDailyJagran) June 29, 2026
The North Americans finished second in Group B with four points, following a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a commanding 6-0 victory over Qatar, and a narrow 2-1 defeat to Switzerland.
🚨 FT: South Africa 0-1 Canada
🇨🇦History made in the dying seconds as Stephen Eustaquio’s late strike sends Canada to the knockouts for the First time ever🍁🔥
Heartbreak for South Africa as Bafana Bafana are eliminated - Welcome beeeeeck Home🇿🇦💔#Canada #SouthAfrica… pic.twitter.com/UkiOmkynEI
— Football Fans Tribe 🇳🇬 ⚽ (@FansTribeHQ) June 28, 2026
South Africa's impressive run comes to an end despite a spirited performance. Bafana Bafana had reached the knockout rounds after finishing second in Group A with four points, recovering from an opening defeat to Mexico with a draw against Czechia before defeating South Korea in their final group-stage match.
Canada will now face the winner of the Round of 32 clash between Morocco and the Netherlands for a place in the quarter-finals, as they continue their historic World Cup journey.
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