Canada advances to World Cup last 16 after late goal against South Africa

Canada's bench streamed onto the pitch as the stadium erupted. Photo by Frederic J. Brown /AFP

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Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time winner fired Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday in the first match of the World Cup knockout rounds, as the co-hosts advance to the last 16 for the first time in their history.

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With both sides making their first-ever appearance in the knockout phase, the game appeared to be heading for extra time before Eustaquio broke South African hearts with a clinical hit from just outside the area.

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Canada — playing in Los Angeles despite being co-hosts, after failing to win their group — will now face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston in the last 16 on July 4, as South Africa’s World Cup adventure comes to an end.

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Before the game, coach Jesse Marsch had talked up the “X-factor” of Canada’s star Alphonso Davies, available again after a hamstring injury.

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But the Bayern Munich wing-back, who was yet to appear at this World Cup, remained glaringly absent from the starting line-up.

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Still, Canada began on the front foot, racking up chances against South Africa’s low block.

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In the 22nd minute, a pinpoint Eustaquio free-kick found Derek Cornelius wide open on the six-yard line. The Canada center-back utterly mistimed his headed effort.

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South Africa threatened sporadically on the counter. But in a frenetic period just before half-time Canada came agonizingly close.

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From a corner, Moise Bombito’s header was cleared off the line, before Tajon Buchanan’s follow-up shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

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Moments later, Khuliso Mudau crashed into the dangerous Richie Laryea, but his penalty appeals were waved away.

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That enraged a heavily Canadian crowd, and the jeers grew louder after half-time as South Africa were content to exchange deep passes under little pressure while the clock ticked down.

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Just past the hour mark, Canada came close again.

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Substitute Niko Sigur slid a through ball to Tani Oluwaseyi, whose shot was well-saved by the goalkeeper and looped up toward Jonathan David — but defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi just got there first and cleared brilliantly.

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In the 75th minute Davies finally appeared, to a huge roar, and made an immediate impact.

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From the left wing, Davies found Jonathan David, who laid the ball to fellow striker — and no relation — Promise David, but his shot went wide.

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Moments later Davies found Jonathan David again. This time, he shot from a tight angle, but was denied by Williams.

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In the second minute of stoppage time, Canada finally broke through, from the other flank.

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Jacob Shaffelburg raced down the right wing and pinged in a cross, which was headed clear to Eustaquio.

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The Porto midfielder — on loan at Los Angeles FC — chested the ball down and slammed it first-time into the bottom-left corner.

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Canada’s bench streamed onto the pitch as the stadium erupted, celebrating a historic victory.

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