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HIGHLIGHTS | FIFA World Cup 2026, Day 18: Eustaquio's stoppage-time winner sends Canada into the last 16

A tense last-32 tie appeared to be heading for extra time, before Eustaquio broke South African hearts with a late strike in the 92nd minute at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Canada players celebrate after the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between South Africa and Canada in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Canada players celebrate after the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between South Africa and Canada in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 28, 2026.(Photo | AP)
TNIE online desk
Summary

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage got off to a dramatic start as co-hosts Canada booked a historic place in the last 16 with a 1-0 victory over South Africa.

In a tense contest between two nations making their World Cup knockout debut, the deadlock remained unbroken as the clock ticked towards extra time. But Stephen Eustáquio struck in the second minute of second-half stoppage time to break South African hearts and send Canada into the last 16 for the first time in their history.

Canada says star Alphonso Davies is honestly ready to play at World Cup as knockout rounds begin

Alphonso Davies is available to play when Canada begins the World Cup knockout rounds, coach Jesse Marsch said Saturday.

And this time, Marsch sounded like he actually meant it.

Marsch admitted this week that he used his team captain and Bayern Munich star as a decoy during group play, employing gamesmanship to compel Canada's opponents to game-plan for someone who wasn't actually ready to return from his hamstring injury.

The situation has now changed, Marsch claimed at SoFi Stadium, where the World Cup co-hosts will play on the road Sunday against South Africa to open the Round of 32. Canada’s most famous soccer player is really ready to play, and Davies made it clear he’s expecting to be on the field in some capacity.

Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy and ready to perform, I think it’s a big moment for the team and a big boost for the team,” Marsch said. “I think in general, all the players that came into camp with little injuries are now really close to 100% and ready to perform at the highest level and be at our best in these matches.”

South Africa's World Cup run is a dream come true. Broos says a knockout win would be 'a miracle'

This World Cup is already a landmark for South Africa, which had never advanced out of group play in its three previous trips to the sport's biggest stage.

If Hugo Broos' team goes even farther when it faces co-host Canada on Sunday in the tournament's first knockout match, the Belgian coach is ready to call that something even bigger.

“If we should succeed again to go through to the (next) round, I can say that should be a miracle for Bafana Bafana,” Broos said Saturday.

Broos smiles and snarls before South Africa's historic World Cup match

South Africa coach Hugo Broos smiles a lot and snarls a little as he prepares for the biggest match of his 38-year career as a tactician.

Having reached the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time, Bafana Bafana (The Boys) face Canada on Sunday in Los Angeles in the first last-32 fixture.

The joy of the 74-year-old Belgian grandfather stems from succeeding where various coaches, including renowned Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, failed.

"It was a hugely emotional moment -- getting past the group stage for the first time," said Broos, who guided Cameroon to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

"We were not good against Mexico and a little better against the Czechs. That meant we had to defeat Korea. There was enormous pressure on us, but we made it.

"We are ready for the Canadians. My team will fight for 90 minutes, and longer if necessary. Let us hope for another good result."

Should South Africa eliminate Canada -- who are 22 places higher in the world rankings -- they will face the Netherlands or Morocco in a last-16 tie.

World Cup star Gakpo requests privacy after death of unborn son

Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo has asked for "privacy and space" following the announcement by his partner Noa van der Bij that they had lost their unborn son.

Van der Bij posted a picture on Instagram of the pair holding hands over a blanket and knitted hat.

"With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy," she wrote.

"Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son."

In a post of his own, Liverpool forward Gakpo, who is on World Cup duty, wrote: "This is an incredibly difficult time for our family.

"We kindly ask for our privacy and space. Thank you for your understanding."

Gakpo, 27, has started all three of the Netherlands' games in the United States, scoring twice.

The Dutch Football Association said he would be remaining at the team's World Cup camp in Kansas City.

"We are supporting the family wherever we can," it said in a statement. "After discussing the situation with his partner, Cody has decided to remain with the team.

Scotland coach Steve Clarke resigns after elimination

Scotland coach Steve Clarke is stepping down after the team was eliminated from the World Cup even though he signed a new four-year contract only a month before.

Clarke announced he was leaving in an emotional letter to Scotland's "Tartan Army" supporters shortly after Croatia's 2-1 win over Ghana on Saturday ensured Scotland could no longer qualify for the round of 32.

His seven years in charge saw Scotland reach its first World Cup since 1998 and qualify twice for the European Championship, having not done so since 1996.

Scotland's players "deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honor to be called their Gaffer (boss)," Clarke wrote. "Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor."

South Korea president apologises after World Cup group-stage exit

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung condemned the country's premature World Cup exit on Sunday, pointing the finger at "incompetent people" and apologising to the nation.

South Korea's turbulent campaign in North America ended at the group phase and could lead to the international retirement of captain Son Heung-min.

After three days of anxious waiting to see if they would squeeze into the knockout rounds as one of the eight third-placed finishers, results went against South Korea to send them home.

Deeply unpopular coach Hong Myung-bo is sure to be fired or will quit, and the nation's president promised wholesale reform.

"When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and incompetent people are appointed to leadership positions, the outcome is all but inevitable," Lee said in a post on X.

"I offer my deepest apologies to the public for the profound disappointment caused by this unacceptable outcome. We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure that nothing like this happens again," he added, without elaborating.

South Africa vs Canada lineups

RSA: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Yaya Sithole, Thapelo Maseko, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Evidence Makgopa

CAN: Maxime Crépeau, Alistair Johnston, Moïse Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea, Tajon Buchanan, Nathan-Dylan Saliba, Stephen Eustaquio, Liam Millar, Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi

South Africa vs Canada kicks off

Canada reach World Cup last 16 as late strike sinks South Africa

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.

With both sides making their inaugural 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.

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.

"We felt like we could wear them down over time, and it took 92 minutes, but we got there," said Canada coach Jesse Marsch.

Canada's Stephen Eustaquio, right, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against South Africa during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Canada's Stephen Eustaquio, right, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against South Africa during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (Photo | AP)

Canada's Marsch praises history-making World Cup 'heroes'

Coach Jesse Marsch hailed his "Canadian heroes" for making history by reaching the World Cup last 16 on Sunday, describing their upcoming clash with either the Netherlands or Morocco as a "free hit."

Co-hosts Canada entered this tournament having lost all six games across two previous World Cup appearances, but are now the first team to reach the second knockout round thanks to a 1-0 win over South Africa.

Marsch gathered his squad on the pitch straight after the last-gasp win to tell the players "you are Canadian heroes" in a bombastic team talk that quickly went viral online.

Speaking to reporters after the game, American Marsch said he had wanted to "voice to them how important a moment this will prove to be for the sport in the country."

"There are people who like to say it's performative to meet on the pitch, and frankly, I don't give a shit what people have to say," said Marsch.

"Like, all I care about is our own team and what we do together."

South Africa
Canada
2026 FIFA World Cup
Round of 32

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