World Cup: Canada breaks through to knock out South Africa

INGLEWOOD — If Stephen Eustáquio’s lasting memory of his time in Southern California did not take place during a six-month loan to the Los Angeles Football Club, it will be easy to understand why.

With two days left on his loan from FC Porto to the Major League Soccer side, Eustáquio drilled a game-winning goal in the 92nd minute to seal Canada’s first World Cup knockout round victory, beating upstart South Africa, 1-0, on Sunday.

The explosive ending will be the main thing people remember about the opening match of the knockout stage for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, as neither side played attractive soccer.

South Africa defended with numbers and tried to push forward with the odd counterattack.

Canada defended less but somehow appeared as offensively deficient as their African opponents.

With a half hour of extra time looming, along with the possibility of penalty kicks, Eustáquio, the Canadian vice-captain, bailed out his nation when another LAFC player, Jacob Shaffelburg, saw his cross from the right side headed away by a defender to the top of the box.

Chesting the ball down, Eustáquio’s half volley beat South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams at the far post.

Prior to that, set pieces, generally taken by Eustáquio, offered Canada its best opportunities.

From 30 yards out Eustáquio’s ball into the box in the 22nd minute fizzled when Derek Cornelius hit a poor header.

At the half-hour mark, Canadian supporters occupying seats in the less-than-packed stadium booed South Africa’s lack of initiative.

Ten minutes later, a Canadian free kick from the left side of the box didn’t amount to much, but it did signal the best stretch of the first half for the North Americans.

In the 44th minute, a corner kick by Eustáquio found Moise Bombito’s head. That attempt was cleared off the line by South African Aubrey Modiba. The ball rattled around the 6-yard box, where forward Tajon Buchanan’s shot was denied by Williams.

A moment later, the Canadian faithful thought their side earned a penalty kick when Richie Lareya went down in the box. However, a video review did not yield the shot Jesse Marsch’s team argued for because defender Khuliso Mudau established position first by planting his foot into the grass.

In its final group stage match versus Switzerland, the Canadians were slow coming out of the locker room and conceded twice in a defeat that cost them first place in the group, a few more days rest, and the chance to play two more matches in Vancouver. They weren’t much better after the break in L.A., but South Africa could not make them pay.