Canada Edge South Africa to Reach First World Cup Last 16
Summary: Stephen Eustáquio scored a stoppage-time winner from the edge of the penalty area to give Canada a 1-0 victory over South Africa in Los Angeles, sending Canada into the last 16 and earning their first knockout-stage win in World Cup history. Canada created the better chances but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and South African defending, while a first-half penalty appeal was turned down after VAR review. Alphonso Davies returned from injury in the 75th minute and helped increase Canada’s pressure. The match was the first Round of 32 game in World Cup history after the tournament expanded to 48 teams, and South Africa’s defeat ended a historic knockout campaign. Canada will next face either the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on July 4.
Details
- Stephen Eustáquio scored in second-half stoppage time with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area to seal Canada’s 1-0 win in Los Angeles.
- The result gave Canada their first knockout-stage victory in World Cup history and sent the co-hosts into the last 16.
- South Africa were also playing in the World Cup knockouts for the first time, making the late defeat a painful end to a historic campaign.
- Canada created the better chances for much of the match but were repeatedly denied by South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and last-ditch defending.
- Aubrey Modiba cleared Moïse Bombito’s header off the line in the first half before Williams blocked Tajon Buchanan’s close-range effort.
- Canada appealed for a penalty shortly before half-time after Richie Laryea went down in the box, but the referee’s decision to play on was upheld after a VAR review.
- South Africa defended with discipline and looked set to take the match into extra time before Eustáquio’s late strike broke through.
- Alphonso Davies made his first appearance of the tournament in the 75th minute after recovering from a hamstring injury and helped increase Canada’s attacking pressure.
- The match was the first Round of 32 game in World Cup history after the tournament expanded to 48 teams.
- South Africa were one of nine African teams to reach the Round of 32, a historic return from the continent in the expanded format. Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, DR Congo, Algeria, Egypt, Cape Verde and Ghana also advanced, leaving Tunisia as the only African team not to reach the knockout stage.
What Else
- Canada will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on July 4 for a place in the quarter-finals. Morocco faces the Netherlands on Monday night in Monterrey, carrying African hopes to advance to the round of 16.
- Monday’s other Round of 32 fixtures see Brazil face Japan in Houston and Germany face Paraguay in Boston before the Netherlands-Morocco game closes the night.
- The African challenge continues through the week, with Côte d’Ivoire facing Norway, Senegal facing Belgium, DR Congo facing England, Algeria facing Switzerland, Egypt facing Australia, Cape Verde facing Argentina and Ghana facing Colombia.