Canada have made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in their history after Stephen Eustaquio's clinical stoppage-time strike defeated South Africa 1-0 on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Porto midfielder, currently on loan at local club Los Angeles FC, collected a headed clearance from a Jacob Shaffelburg cross in the second minute of added time, controlled it on his chest, and slammed a first-time shot into the bottom-left corner to spark wild celebrations from Canada's bench and the heavily pro-Canada crowd at the hypermodern SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The goal, coming in the 92nd minute, echoed Nacer Chadli's famous late winner for Belgium against Japan at the 2018 World Cup — and was only the second decisive stoppage-time goal in a World Cup knockout match since then.

The match had been a tense, often frustrating affair. Both Canada and South Africa were making their debut appearances in the knockout stage of a World Cup, and the nerves showed. South Africa, coached by Belgian Hugo Broos, set up in a deep defensive block and were content to slow the game down, drawing sustained jeers from the near-70,000 fans in attendance. Canada had the better of the chances throughout, coming closest just before half-time when Moïse Bombito's header from a corner was cleared off the line, and Tajon Buchanan's follow-up shot was then brilliantly kept out by South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. A penalty appeal for a foul on Richie Laryea was waved away by Portuguese referee João Pinheiro, further inflaming the crowd.

The second half followed a similar pattern until Canada's star player Alphonso Davies — the Bayern Munich wing-back who had been sidelined with a hamstring injury and was yet to appear at this tournament — came off the bench in the 75th minute to a thunderous roar. His introduction immediately galvanised the attack, with shots from Promise David and Jonathan David both going close, the latter denied by Williams from a tight angle. Yet as the clock ticked towards full time, extra time looked increasingly inevitable — until Eustaquio produced his moment of brilliance.

For Canada, one of the three co-hosts of this year's tournament alongside the United States and Mexico, the victory rewrites the country's footballing history. The Canadians had previously appeared at the World Cup in 1986 and 2022, exiting at the group stage on both occasions. They were playing this knockout tie away from their home venues after finishing second in Group B, following a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in their final group game. They will now face the winner of Tuesday's last-16 match between Morocco and the Netherlands, with the game scheduled for Houston on 4 July. "We never stopped believing," said Eustaquio after the final whistle. "I felt like everyone kicked that ball with me." Defender Alistair Johnston called it "a moment we will never forget," adding: "We are making history for Canadian football and Canadian sport as a whole."