South Africa 0 – 1 Canada

Stephen Eustace scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner for co-hosts Canada as they beat South Africa 1-0 to become the first team to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

South Africa’s defensive performance looked set to send the game into extra time and possibly penalties until Eustaquio latched on to the ball inside the box and his half volley nestled into the far corner to finally beat Ronwen Williams in the 92nd minute.

The match-winning moment came when Canada failed at every opportunity South Africa presented with Moise Bombito’s header being cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba, while Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s heroic challenge denied Jonathan David an easy header wide of the goal.

“You’re showing your character, you’re Canadian heroes now,” Canada boss Jesse Marsh told his players at halftime. “Canadian heroes, for the children of this country’s future.”

Canada also felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Richie Laria went down after a challenge on Khuliso Mudau inside the area just before the break, but, after a VAR review, the on-field decision was upheld.

Replays showed a small touch on the ball from Mudau before it made contact with Laria, but that did not control the half-time reaction of Canada head coach Marsh, who had to be pulled away from the match officials by his own players.

The full-time scenes, however, were a stark contrast to what happened at the break. After hailing his players as heroes after the final whistle, Marsh joined his supporters in their celebrations and the group will now look forward to their last-16 match against Morocco or the Netherlands in Houston on July 4.

Highlights from Los Angeles…

• 44: Off the line! Modiba cleared Bombito’s header off the line for Canada.
• 45: No penalty! Laria went down following Mudau’s challenge but VAR stood by the on-field decision.
• 65: Chance! Williams denied Tanu Oluwaseyi and Mbokazi cleared the second ball from David with a heroic tackle.
• 90+2: Goal! Eustace netted a dramatic late winner for Canada in the 92nd minute.

Marsh labels the players ‘Canadian heroes’

Jesse Marsh talking to his players after full time:

“We talked about sticking to the plan, who we want to be. Attacking play, accessing qualities.

“You are showing your character, you are now Canadian heroes. Canadian heroes, for the future children of this country.

“This sport has a great future because of you. You should be proud of who you are because of this sport.”

Celebrate Canada’s late winner!

Analysis: Eustace steps up for Canada

Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:

Stephen Eustace is back in the starting line-up for Canada for this game – and he’s not leaving anytime soon.

The midfielder created five chances from set-pieces alone, joint-most with Andrea Pirlo in knockout games at the World Cup, and also had five key passes.

Canada was always the better team but it always felt like a game that needed a moment of magic after being let down by South Africa for most of the match. Eustaquio did it perfectly with time running down in the game and the pressure mounting on his side.

On that stage, in that manner and with that quality, his head coach Jesse Marsh deserves the “Canadian Hero” tag bestowed upon him.

The game was the first ever knockout game at the World Cup and their fans and players now have a moment that will live on forever.

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