Canada outlasted South Africa in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Stephen Eustaquio’s superb strike proving the difference between the two teams.
Match Report
Stephen Eustaquio’s last-gasp strike earned Canada a hard-fought victory over South Africa in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Jesse Marsch’s men will now face the Netherlands-Morocco winners at Houston Stadium.
Bafana Bafana produced some eye-catching moves in the first half at Los Angeles Stadium, but were let down by their final ball. The Reds were denied twice in succession on the whistle’s cusp, Aubrey Modiba hooking Moise Bombito’s header off the line before Ronwen Williams did brilliantly to block Tajon Buchanan.
Canada resumed control after the restart. After Tani Oluwaseyi’s shot was excellently parried by Williams, Mbekezeli Mbokazi knocked it behind before the attacker could tap in the rebound.
A huge roar went up as Alphonso Davies was sent on in the 75th minute, and he threatened South Africa with his pace and trickery. It was Eustaquio who settled the contest, however, catching a bouncing ball perfectly on the edge of the box to find the bottom corner.
South Africa will go home with their heads held high, having reached the knockout phase for the first time ever.
Line-ups
South Africa XI: Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Yaya Sithole, Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau, Oswin Appollis, Evidence Makgopa, Thapelo Maseko, Relebohile Mofokeng, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Subs: Ricardo Goss, Iqraam Rayners, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sipho Chaine, Lyle Foster, Bradley Cross, Thalente Mbatha, Jayden Adams, Tshepang Moremi, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Samukele Kabini, Khulumani Ndamane
Canada XI: Maxime Crépeau, Derek Cornelius, Stephen Eustaquio, Richie Laryea, Liam Millar, Jonathan David, Buchanan, Alistair Johnston, Nathan-Dylan Saliba, Tani Oluwaseyi, Moïse Bombito
Subs: Jonathan Osorio, Cyle Larin, Alphonso Davies, Joel Waterman, Alfie Jones, Dayne St. Clair, Mathieu Choinière, Jayden Nelson, Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David, Owen Goodman, Niko Sigur, Ali Ahmed, Luc De Fougerolles
Cezbemoyz
275
The South Africans have to go home early to go defend their jobs😂😂😂
vizclmotuy
133
they don't deserve to be in this world cup, thank you canada all Africans are happy
Feucnrsz
89
Canada 1-0 Xenophobia
Cabamnotu
70
It's with great pleasure to see South Africa out of the world tournament at this early stage. Indeed Africa is very happy. Go back home and defend your dirty job. Ingrate nation.
memacdeilz
42
south Africa were doing extremely well in the world cup but when they remember that if they continue to win in the world cup and go on to win the world cup they are going to loose their job in south Africa that is why they deliberately loose the game today 😂😂😂😂
Kapbdmry
33
God bless Canada for making me happy
Quresh114
33
I am from Africa, I am very happy thet South Africa 🇿🇦 out of World Cup 🤣🤣🤣
TheBlue1905
9
I'm from Namibia but I have to say they played well, I love the standard of their play, they performed very well, stop with such remarks that's hatred speach
You're not from Namibia. You're definitely South African. Don't be a coward. Come out and defend the useless behavior you're carrying on in your country against your fellow Africans.
Anuolu190
9
I'm from Namibia but I have to say they played well, I love the standard of their play, they performed very well, stop with such remarks that's hatred speach
Who said it’s not hatred, we fuckin hate you guys, you bring this upon yourself