For a country better known for hockey rinks than penalty areas, Sunday felt different. Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, claiming their first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout round and moving on to the Round of 16.
The goal came in the second minute of stoppage time. Stephen Eustáquio, the Porto midfielder and Canada’s engine in the middle of the park, struck from the edge of the penalty area and sent a crowd of Canadian supporters into something close to a national holiday.
How it happened
His strike in the 90th-plus-two minute was the kind of goal that gets replayed for decades in a country’s sporting memory. A powerful effort from outside the box, hit with conviction rather than desperation. It was his fifth international goal for Canada.
Coach Jesse Marsch called his players “Canadian heroes” after the final whistle.
