South Africa v Canada

We have our first nation into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup! It was a game that was crying out for a moment of real quality for the entire 90 minutes, and that is precisely what Eustaquio delivered to book Canada a date with the Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16. In truth, despite having less of the ball and lacking sufficient intensity for large parts of the tie, it is what they deserved. South Africa (0.13 xG) pay the price for a gameplan that was anchored on frustrating Marsch's side (1.32 xG) from the get-go, moving the ball slowly around the back four and midfield without ever really piercing Canada's press in a meaningful way, much to the frustration of the neutrals inside Los Angeles stadium. Canada could easily have led in the first half, with Cornelius, Bombito and Buchanan all seeing efforts cleared or saved at close range from set-pieces, as well as a contentious penalty call for a Mudau challenge on Laryea which was not given on the stroke of half-time. Oluwaseyi had the best of the second-half chances, racing away ahead of the defenders only to see his effort saved by Williams, and David’s follow-up was thwarted by Mbokazi. The introduction of Alphonso Davies for his first minutes of the tournament provided a brief injection of quality midway through the second half, before soon fizzling out again as South Africa defended with heart and in numbers. We looked set for 30 minutes more in extra time. That was until the 92nd minute… when a Johnston cross was headed to the edge of the box where Eustaquio was waiting. The LAFC midfielder chested the ball down calmly, let it drop and rifled a perfect finish into the bottom corner to send his nation into their first-ever World Cup round-of-16 tie. Canada and Marsch will know their opponents on Tuesday, when the Netherlands and Morocco meet. They will also know that no matter the result of that one, they will face a far sterner test of their credentials than South Africa posed today. Marsch will have Davies wrapped in cotton wool now, ahead of their date with destiny on July 4 in Houston. That’s all from Los Angeles, thanks for following and we’ll see you next time!

FULL TIME: SOUTH AFRICA 0-1 CANADA.

Mbatha swings in a hopeful cross inside the final minute but Crepeau comes out confidently and leaps to collect the ball before dropping safely to the floor...

It is a special moment for the co-hosts, and an even sweeter one for Eustaquio, who plays his football in Los Angeles for LAFC. Can South Africa get themselves back into this in the final four minutes?

90'+2'

Goal - Volley

EUSTAQUIO SURELY WINS IT FOR CANADA!!! QUITE INCREDIBLE!!!!! Just as this game looked to be fizzling out, the Canadians' elegant midfielder rifles them into the last 16!!! Johnston gets down the right side and sends in a hopeful ball which is cleared to the edge of the box, where Eustaquio is free to chest the ball down, let it bounce and drill the cleanest of strikes into the bottom corner with Williams stranded. A knife to the heart of the South Africans! 1-0 to Canada!

We are into five minutes of stoppage time as South Africa continue to frustrate the fans inside the stadium, stroking it around with no real intensity, just waiting to pick a gap in the Canadian press.