Canada beat South Africa 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time strike by Stephen Eustáquio from distance, reaching the FIFA World Cup last 16 for the first time in their history. Eustáquio received the ball on the edge of the South Africa penalty area and hammered it past diving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in a thrilling conclusion to the first knockout-round match of the tournament.
South Africa, who never made a World Cup knockout round before this tournament, had appeared content to play for extra time and a possible penalty shootout, but Canada had other ideas. The goal came in the second minute of five added minutes, when a cleared cross by South Africa fell to Eustáquio right along the edge of the box. The veteran LAFC midfielder controlled it well with his chest before connecting with an exquisite strike. South Africa made a few furious but unsuccessful attempts to level before the final whistle.
A Frustrating Afternoon for Bafana Bafana
Canada’s best opening before the late win came just before half-time, when a corner sparked a scramble in the South Africa box. Moise Bombito sent a header goal-wards, which was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba, before Tajon Buchanan’s close-range effort struck Williams in the chest. Moments later, Richie Laryea went down in the area, prompting Canadian appeals for a penalty, but the decision not to award a spot kick stood after a VAR review.
Captain Alphonso Davies made his tournament debut in the 75th minute after missing the entire group stage with a hamstring injury, and his presence helped open up the pitch for Canada down the left flank. Despite South Africa enjoying 58 per cent possession, Canada finished the match with 1.32 expected goals across 12 shots compared to South Africa’s 0.13, a clear sign of which side created the more dangerous chances throughout. Centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, however, concluded his breakout tournament on a positive note.
The End of a Historic Run
South Africa’s exit closes out a World Cup campaign that, for all its difficulty, broke new ground for Bafana Bafana. Reaching the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history, following a chaotic build-up that included a visa crisis before the team’s departure and a tense group stage, represents real progress for a programme that had never previously advanced beyond the group phase.
For Canada, the win continues a historic run of their own. Canada coach Jesse Marsch told his team after the final whistle, “It’s about the two years we’ve been together,” as Les Rouges advanced to face the winner of Monday’s match between Morocco and the Netherlands in Monterrey, Mexico, on the 4th of July. South Africa now joins eight other African nations who made the knockouts at this expanded 48-team tournament, a record-setting continental showing even as Bafana Bafana’s own journey ends in Inglewood.
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