In a round-of-32 match at the 2026 World Cup on the evening of June 28 at Los Angeles Stadium (USA), Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time goal from midfielder Stephen Eustaquio. This marks the first time in history that the Canadian national team has advanced to the round of 16 of the world's most prestigious tournament.
Eustaquio, 29, served as Canada's vice-captain for the match after captain Alphonso Davies was sidelined by injury. He unleashed a long-range strike from the edge of the box that beat goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, securing a dramatic victory for his side. “That was a wonderful goal. When I shot, I felt like the whole team was shooting with me. Everyone put a bit of their effort into it, and the ball went into the net,” Eustaquio shared after the match.
A Journey from Canada to Portugal and Back
Born in Leamington, Ontario (Canada) to Portuguese parents, Eustaquio started playing football at age four. He learned the game at Leamington Minor Soccer before his family moved back to Portugal. At seven, Eustaquio and his older brother Mauro played at the club level.
He then signed a professional contract with Portuguese second-division side Leixoes in 2017 before transferring to GD Chaves in 2018. A year later, Eustaquio joined Cruz Azul in Mexico's Liga MX and was subsequently loaned to Pacos de Ferreira. He made his European debut in August 2020, scoring the third goal in a 4-0 win over Larne in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
In January 2022, Eustaquio joined Porto on loan, and the club exercised its option to buy him permanently that May. His most recent move came in February 2026, when he joined LAFC of MLS on a four-month loan with a purchase option.
The Pain of Losing His Parents and Family Motivation
In April 2023, Eustaquio's mother, Esmeralda, passed away from brain cancer during a Porto home match against Santa Clara. A year later, his father died suddenly of a heart attack. Shortly before that, Eustaquio and his girlfriend Constanta welcomed their first daughter, Benedita. “Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, my girlfriend, my daughter, my brother, and my friends back home,” he said in a post-match interview.
His older brother Mauro Eustaquio, now head coach of Inter Toronto FC, told Sports Net Canada in September 2024 that both brothers were determined to overcome their grief and honor their parents' lives. “Our parents gave us wings. Now it's our turn to fly,” Mauro said.
International Career
Eustaquio began his youth career with Canada's national team in 2012. He later played for Portugal's U-21 side in the 2019 European Under-21 Championship qualifiers. However, in February 2019, he officially committed to playing for the Canadian senior national team. He made his debut in October of that year in the CONCACAF Nations League.
He scored his first international goal at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, reached the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final, and continued with Porto at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The goal against South Africa was his sixth for Canada in 61 appearances. “We worked very hard for this victory. We want to dedicate it to all Canadians,” Eustaquio said.
