South Africa 0-1 Canada: FIFA World Cup – as it happened

Canada win their first-ever World Cup knockout match to enter the round of 16.

It will be a victory celebrated across the length and breadth of the country.

Spare a thought for South Africa, who battled valiantly, but simply didn’t have the quality to match up front.

On behalf of Alex Hoad, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

A last-minute winner sends Canada to the Round of 16! 👊#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2026

We have a blockbuster day of matches coming at you tomorrow.

First up is Brazil versus Japan, with the live page starting at 17:00 GMT.

Following that, we have the Netherlands taking on Morocco, with the page kicking off at 01:00 GMT the following day.

The #FIFAWorldCup knock-outs are coming. 😤#NothingLikeOranje #NEDMAR pic.twitter.com/GqyE2RMJAd

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 28, 2026

Canada defender Alphonso Davies spoke after the match with the host broadcaster: “For me personally, I felt joy. I felt relief. We knew it was a tight game.

“To see the ball go in the back of the net, you can see what it meant to us and to the country.

“The last couple of weeks I was watching the games, wishing I was out there. The boys did the job in the group stage, and gave me the opportunity to play today.

“Felt a bit of energy, and tried to bring something different. Happy to get the win.

“The next preparation is total focus. Enjoy the win that we got today, but we know tomorrow we have to start again. Whichever team that comes out of that game, it is going to be a good game.

“We know we will come up against tougher and tougher opponents.”

Canada coach Jesse Marsch caught up with the host broadcaster after the match: “Look, the game we knew would get a little wild. They like to play in open spaces and, sometimes, in transition, they can be difficult to deal with.

“We tried to keep our structure and ramp up our game, and see if we can punish them.

“We had chances, but we weren’t lethal enough – just hoped that {Stephen Eustaquio] could put it on frame, and then he buries it.

“It is the hard work from these guys. The character of them – they are Canadian heroes. I am so happy for them.

“Moise [Bombito], you could see, is close to his old self, but not 100 percent. His performance in the first half was outstanding.

“Of course, Alphonso [Davies] has quality, and he will bring a lift. That is what he did. We want to have him for more minutes in the next game.

“It wasn’t an easy game. We thought we could be better on the day, and we had to prove it. In the end, we did.

“I am flying to Monterrey [to check out the Netherlands versus Morocco match]. I will check what is going on, and then we will throw everything we have at a giant.

“I wanted to show this team that they deserved a right to go after a giant.”

Canada midfielder Stephen Eustaquio spoke with the host broadcaster after his match-winning goal: “Yeah, I think we worked a lot to get this victory. We wanted to give this win to all Canadians.

“I think it was an amazing goal. When I shot, I thought everyone shot with me. Everyone added a little power to it when it went into the back of the net.

“[The belief] It started when we came out of group stage. Belief is a big part of it. We will now get either Netherlands or Morocco. Anything can happen. If we keep working like we are doing, we might even win it.”

A last-minute winner sends Canada to the Round of 16! 👊#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2026

Stephen Eustaquio (five) was just the second player on record (since 1966) to create 5+ chances from set-pieces in a knockout match at the men’s World Cup after Italy’s Andrea Pirlo against Germany in 2006 (also five).

And then he went and scored a stoppage-time winner 🔥 pic.twitter.com/u4zXeluGyP

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 28, 2026

South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made 85 successful passes in today’s game, 35 more than any Canada player, and the most for a keeper in a World Cup match on record, overtaking Manuel Neuer’s 51 for Germany against Japan in 2022.

In addition to being the match winner, Stephen Eustaquio is just the second player since records began to create five chances from set pieces in a knockout-stage match at the World Cup, after Andrea Pirlo for Italy against Germany in the 2006 semifinal.

After huddling to celebrate the victory as a team, the players disperse towards the Canada end to celebrate with the fans.

Eustaquio’s late dagger proves to be South Africa’s downfall. Canada’s run at this FIFA World Cup continues.

They arguably deserved it, finishing with 14 shots to South Africa’s six, while managing seven shots on target at that.

Spare a thought for South Africa, who will now have to pack their bags.

Full-time: South Africa 0-1 Canada 

WE ADVANCE!!!

OUR FIRST WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT STAGE VICTORY IN HISTORY!!!!#CANMNT #OurGameNow pic.twitter.com/sFHDdKAUmz

— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 28, 2026

Canada hold on to become the first team to advance to the Round of 16!

Full-time: South Africa 0-1 Canada 

South Africa work a long throw-in into the box, with time running out.

But Crepeau is able to launch himself forward and claim the aerial ball.

It is met with resounding cheers from the partisan crowd.

90+6 mins: South Africa 0-1 Canada 

There will surely be time added on, but Canada are fighting right till the end.

South Africa are really up against it now.

90+5 mins: South Africa 0-1 Canada 

He winds up for a long-range strike from the right side, outside the box.

Despite the clogged area, he is able to get it through as the ball flies into the left side of goal.

The partisan crowd bursts into life and Canada have their goal finally! They will now look to hold on here and see this to completion.

90+2 mins: South Africa 0-1 Canada 

Eustaquio may have just sent Canada into the Round of 16!

90+2 mins: South Africa 0-1 Canada 

Just five more minutes now for either side to prevent this from going to extra-time.

90 mins: South Africa 0-0 Canada 

Maseko and Makgopa come off for Tshepang Moremi and Iqram Rayners.

87 mins: South Africa 0-0 Canada 

Appollis goes left and right of his marker. He finds space to curl an attempt towards the right post from outside the box.

Crepeau dives to his left to keep out the chance, but it looked like it was going to miss the target anyway.

He is able to scramble quickly on the rebound before it causes any further danger.

85 mins: South Africa 0-0 Canada 

There are plenty of oohs and aahs from the crowd as the teams go for broke.

Just not enough quality on show in that final third though.

84 mins: South Africa 0-0 Canada