Canada advances to World Cup Round of 16
Stephen Eustáquio scored a stoppage-time winner against South Africa, sending Canada to the knockout stage in its first men's World Cup on home soil.
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Canada has reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the men's tournament, defeating South Africa 1-0 in a knockout match on Sunday, June 28.
Stephen Eustáquio scored the winner in second-half stoppage time, lifting Canada past South Africa in what head coach Jesse Marsch called the biggest victory in the program's history.
In his post-match interview, Eustáquio fought back tears as he reflected on his late parents, Esmeralda and Armando, who died in 2023 and 2024 after brain cancer and a heart attack. "Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, for my girlfriend, for my daughter, for my brother, for my friends back home, for all of you," he told TSN. "We really wanted to give this win to all the Canadians, and we just kept believing, we kept pushing."
Marsch said after the match that Eustáquio was deserving of the moment. "I think from somewhere his parents are looking down, and they saw that," the coach told reporters.
Canada will face the winner of Netherlands-Morocco, who play Monday night at 9 p.m. EDT. Canada's next match is set for Saturday, July 4, at 1 p.m. EDT, taking place in Houston.
