Canada Makes History
Canada beats South Africa late to advance in a historic World Cup knockout match.
June 28, 2026 · Updated Jun 28, 9:20pm ET
Al Jazeera‘Heroes for the future’: Canada celebrates team’s historic World Cup run
USA TODAYOften overlooked, Canada makes history with round of 32 win over South Africa
FOX NewsCanada scores in 92nd minute to earn first World Cup knockout stage victory over South Africa
CNNCanada grabs a late winner to eliminate South Africa in opening game of the World Cup’s Round of 32
Associated PressWorld Cup what to know: Canada-South Africa kick off knockout round play
Epoch TimesCanada Advances to World Cup’s Round of 16 After Goal Against South Africa in Stoppage Time
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What happened
Canada reached the World Cup last 16 for the first time in its history, beating South Africa 1-0 in the opening knockout match after Stephen Eustáquio scored in stoppage time in Inglewood, California. The match stayed tense and scoreless until the 92nd minute, when Eustáquio’s late strike broke South Africa’s resistance and delivered Canada’s first knockout-stage victory at a World Cup. The win extended a landmark 2026 run for the co-hosts, who had entered the tournament with little World Cup success and are now headed to a July 4 match in Houston. Canadians celebrated the breakthrough widely, with praise from political leaders, sports figures and fans framing the team as a symbol of the country’s rising soccer ambitions.