Stephen Eustaquio was in tears after scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner that sent Canada into the World Cup last 16 for the first time – a goal he dedicated to his parents, who both died in the past two years.
For 75 minutes at Los Angeles Stadium, Canada and South Africa had laboured in the inaugural round of 32 clash. Neither team could break through. Then Alphonso Davies crossed the touchline for his first involvement at World Cup 2026, 345 minutes into Canada's tournament, and the game changed.
“Stephen Eustaquio's stoppage-time goal sends Canada to last 16 for first time.”
Davies, who tore his ACL at this same stadium in March 2025, looked effective if not fully fit. His first three touches showed decisiveness on the ball and a vocal link between the field and bench that jolted the whole team to life. “When Alphonso comes in, I know it’s a big boost for the team,” Eustaquio said after the match. “He’s one of the best players, one of the best left backs in the world, the best player we have on our team.”
With the game drifting into injury time, Eustaquio lashed home from the edge of the box in the second minute of added time, sparking wild celebrations. The 29-year-old midfielder had tears in his eyes as he spoke after the match, remembering his parents – his mother died in 2023 after a battle against brain cancer, and his father died a year later following a heart attack. “Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, for my girlfriend, for my daughter,” he said. “For my friends back home. For everyone.”
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch hailed his players as “Canadian heroes”. “We knew the game would get a little wild sometimes,” he said. “We tried to make sure that we kept our structure and we tried to say we keep ramping up the level of the game and come from the bench and get stronger.” He added: “It fell to Steph and I’m just hoping he puts it on frame and gives us a chance. He buries it. I can’t help but think of all the hard work from these guys.”
Canada will now face either Morocco or the Netherlands in Houston on July 4. “I think it was an amazing goal but when I shot, I felt everyone shot with me,” Eustaquio said. “They put a little bit of power on it and it went into the back of the net. So I am very happy.”
Davies, who had been “itching to get on the pitch”, said: “To be able to have these 15 minutes that I could get, to be there on the pitch to celebrate with the guys … [it was] truly amazing.”