Canada beat South Africa 1-0 thanks to a goal from Eustáquo in second-half stoppage time. The match was played this Sunday (28) in the round of 32 of the World Cup, in Los Angeles.
With this, the Canadians advance for the first time in their history to the round of 16 of a World Cup — both teams had never passed the group stage.
The opponent will leave the match between the Netherlands and Morocco, scheduled for 10pm this Monday (29).
Canada spent a good part of the match in the attacking field, created the best opportunities and repeatedly ran into the South African goalkeeper.
The most important save came in the 43rd minute of the first half. Eustáquio took a corner, Bombito headed the goal and Modiba avoided it over the line. The ball fell to Buchanan, who finished from inside the area. Williams appeared again and prevented the Canadian goal.
The Canadians even left the field complaining about a possible penalty. Laryea fell after sharing with Mudau inside the area. The referee ordered it to continue, and the VAR did not recommend a review.
After the break, the match maintained the same design. Canada remained with the ball and continued to push South Africa closer to their area.
Millar found Oluwaseyi at speed in the 18th minute. The attacker came in free and hit Williams on the way out. The goalkeeper saved with his thigh. Before Jonathan David reached the rebound, Teboho Mokoena managed to clear it.
In the 30th minute, Promise David took the first chance from the edge of the area and sent the ball close to the post.
Alphonso Davies made his debut at this World Cup in the second stage. Recovered from injury, he took over the captain’s armband and began commanding Canada’s main offensive actions.
In one of them, he advanced from the left and found Jonathan David inside the area. The attacker hit a cross, with almost no angle, but Williams defended again.
Eustáquio is the son of Portuguese parents. He lost his parents, Esmeralda and Armando, within a year, between 2023 and 2024. Esmeralda died of brain cancer, while Armando suffered a heart attack.
In the interview after the match, the athlete was close to tears when talking about his family.
“Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, for my daughter”, he summarized.
On the field, coach Jesse Marsch joined the athletes and called them ‘Canada’s heroes’. He also said that children would start playing football because of them.
