Last-Minute Win Sends Canada to World Cup 2026 Round of 16
Anushe Engineer
A 92nd-minute goal by Stephen Eustaquio gave Canada a historic victory over South Africa, propelling the co-hosts into the knockout stage for the first time. The win drew praise from Prime Minister Mark Carney, political leaders, top athletes, and fans.
Canada’s historic run at the FIFA World Cup 2026 will continue after a dramatic 92nd-minute goal by Stephen Eustaquio against South Africa, securing the co-hosts their first-ever spot in the tournament’s Round of 16.
The 29-year-old midfielder’s strike on Sunday rewrote Canadian soccer history, capping a story head coach Jesse Marsch has been building since taking charge two years ago.
“Think about how we talked about staying with the plan, staying with who we want to be, playing on the front foot, exploiting quality, showing your character,” an emotional Marsch told his players as they huddled around him on the pitch after the win.
“You are Canadian heroes! Canadian heroes for the future kids of this country, the kids who play this sport. This sport has a bright future because of you.”
“You should be proud of who you are. You should be proud of this game. You chased it, every single moment.”
Similar praise came from Prime Minister Mark Carney, who had just landed and watched the final minutes on his phone. “What a game. What a team. What a country,” Carney wrote on social media.
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario where Eustaquio was born and raised before his family moved to Portugal, congratulated the team on advancing, alongside Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim wrote to the team: “You wore your hearts on your sleeves, gave it everything on the pitch, and gave us all an unforgettable memory.”
Social media flooded with images of Canadian fans turning watch parties and fan fests into a sea of red. Even Los Angeles Stadium, where Canada traveled from the West Coast to face South Africa, was packed with supporters backing the co-hosts.
Soccer enthusiasts and analysts online called the win a dream for Canada, a country where sports like ice hockey, basketball, and baseball are far more popular than soccer.
Fellow Canadian athletes joined the celebration on social media. Multi-medal Olympic swimmer Summer McIntosh, tennis star Félix Auger-Aliassime, and Olympic running champion Andre De Grasse were among the top Canadian athletes backing the men’s national team after the victory. Renowned Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield also congratulated the team after sending good wishes earlier Sunday.
FC Bayern celebrated Alphonso Davies’ return to international duty after a hamstring injury suffered in May during the UEFA Champions League semifinal. The match saw a noticeable shift in tempo and tactics when Davies was introduced in the 74th minute.
On the opposing side, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Canada on their win “as Bafana Bafana pressed you close.” Former German player Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had previously been criticized by Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae for remarks perceived as racist about an African team, was less impressed with Canada’s historic victory. “All in all, not a convincing performance, but thanks to the clearer chances, advancing is fine. Alphonso Davies brought fresh energy after coming on as a substitute,” he wrote on social media. “However, against the Netherlands or Morocco, the team will have to improve significantly.”
