Canada keeps historic World Cup run going with dramatic 1

Canada keeps historic World Cup run going with dramatic 1-0 win over South Africa

There have never been more eyes on Canada’s team. Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium in normal times) was a magnificent stage. There were some empty seats, but the crowd was loud and festive and colourful, a spectacular audience.

By some fluke of scheduling, after the group stage’s cascade of soccer, the game was Sunday’s only fixture, the kickoff to the Round of 32. Tens of millions more watched during an electric afternoon at home and in primetime in South Africa and Europe.

For Canada, the game meant the world. For some of its players, it was a chance to change the course of their lives.

This was an audition, and for an anointed few, an elevation.

None reached greater heights than Stephen Eustáquio.

Canada's men's team is through to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the first time ever.

There were moments in the game where it felt like a Canadian goal was never going to come in normal time, especially after some ridiculous South African defensive plays and Ronwen Williams saves.

But time seemed to slow down when the ball popped towards Stephen Eustáquio. The chest control, the bounce, the squeaky clean strike — in an instant, Canadian anxiety turned into jubilation heard from coast to coast to coast, across every province and territory.

Canada's 2026 World Cup has been defined by so many incredible moments, from Cyle Larin's equalizer against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto to Nathan Saliba dedicating his goal against Qatar to the injured Ismaël Koné.

This is another special moment to add to that growing collection. A generation-defining goal by Eustáquio that would've only been made more perfect if it happened on Canadian ground.

Goal hero Stephen Eustáquio was just speaking to TSN about his big moment:

"We just kept believing, we just kept pushing … I thought it was an amazing goal. But when I shot, I felt everybody shot with me ... everybody put a little more power on it and it went into the back of the net."

He tears up when asked about his family, saying everything he does is for them.

For any soccer skeptics still out there: how about that moment of World Cup magic? And within sight of Hollywood, where dreams are made.

I was starting to wonder whether Canada would be able to score. It looked like extra time was on the way — and then Eustáquio pops up at the edge of the box to score a career-defining goal.

Canada has defied expectations and is now one of the last 16 teams in the men's World Cup.

"You are Canadian heroes," coach Jesse Marsch tells the Canadian players following their 1-0 win over South Africa.

Cameras catch him saying they should feel so "proud" — and they really should! They've achieved something no Canadian men's soccer team has ever accomplished.

You can see the emotion on their faces. Tears of joy and big smiles for some of the Canadian players, including the likes of Maxime Crépeau and the injured Ismaël Koné.

History again for Les Rouges! Canada is through to the Round of 16 after a hard-fought win over South Africa.

Houston, we have liftoff! Canada will play the winner of Netherlands vs. Morocco in the Texas city on July 4.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Eustáquio controlled that beautifully at the edge of the box and his shot had the perfect blend of power and precision.

You could mistake Los Angeles Stadium for the Bell Centre in Montreal. The crowd has gone bananas after the goal by Stephen Eustáquio. A thunderous applause followed by "Ca-na-da! Ca-na-da!" chants. And then the oles came in.

It is an absolute party in here.

Stephen Eustáquio leaves it late, but the goal has finally arrived!

Eustáquio started the game as the captain, and he leads the celebrations after an exceptional strike past Ronwen Williams.

This is his first Canada goal since 2023 — and what a time to score!

Five more minutes. That's all the time these two teams have left if they want to end this before extra time.