Canada 1-0 South Africa - Eustáquio makes history wait until 90+2

Canada needed 92 minutes to find the one clean strike South Africa had spent all afternoon denying. Stephen Eustáquio finally supplied it, chested down on the edge of the box and driven low into the corner, giving Canada a 1-0 Round of 32 win at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday, June 28, at 12:00 local time (3:00 p.m. ET / noon PT).1

Canada are into the last 16 of a men's World Cup for the first time after their first knockout-match victory; South Africa's own first knockout run ends with a brave but painfully passive exit.2 The next stop is Houston on July 4, against either the Netherlands or Morocco.3

The pattern was clear long before the goal: South Africa were content to survive, Canada were blunt but persistent. Just before halftime, Aubrey Modiba hooked Moise Bombito's header off the line, then Ronwen Williams blocked Tajon Buchanan at close range; Richie Laryea's penalty appeal was checked and waved away.3

Alphonso Davies' 75th-minute entrance, his first appearance of the tournament after a hamstring injury, changed the feel if not the score immediately.2 Canada still needed Eustáquio's nerve. ESPN's match centre had Canada ahead 1.38 to 0.14 on expected goals, 7-1 on shots on target and 4-0 on big chances, despite South Africa holding 58% possession.4

One-line verdict: South Africa dragged Canada into a grind, but Canada had the only player willing to make the grind memorable.

Quote of the Day: "When I shot it, I felt everybody shot it with me. Everybody put a little bit of power on it, and it went to the back of the net." - Stephen Eustáquio1