{"id":18542,"date":"2026-06-28T21:32:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T21:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=18542"},"modified":"2026-06-28T21:32:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T21:32:32","slug":"canada-beats-south-africa-1-0-in-world-cups-first-knockout-match-on-late-goal-by-stephen-eustaquio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=18542","title":{"rendered":"Canada beats South Africa 1-0 in World Cup\u2019s first knockout match on late goal by Stephen Eust\u00e1quio"},"content":{"rendered":"

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer<\/strong><\/p>\n

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) \u2014 Stephen Eust\u00e1quio scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, and Canada beat South Africa 1-0 on Sunday for its first knockout match victory in a World Cup.<\/p>

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A tense match at SoFi Stadium appeared to be headed for extra time until Eust\u00e1quio \u2014 who plays professionally for Los Angeles FC several miles away \u2014 put a stunning volley from outside the penalty area into the bottom corner of Ronwen Williams\u2019 net.<\/p>\n

Co-host Canada hung on with strong defensive play in the final minutes and advanced to face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday, July 4.<\/p>\n

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Coach Jesse Marsch gathered his players in a huddle after the whistle and gave a spirited speech, declaring: \u201cYou guys are Canadian heroes! Canadian heroes!\u201d<\/p>\n

Canada played its first three matches at home in Toronto and Vancouver, but was forced to become the first World Cup host to play on the road when it lost 2-1 to Switzerland last Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The Canadians were still the clear crowd favorite in the Los Angeles area between their traveling fans and thousands of supportive locals, including several in Eust\u00e1quio\u2019s LAFC shirt who couldn\u2019t have imagined the day they were about to enjoy.<\/p>

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Williams made five saves for South Africa, which managed to hang in until the final moments in search of another historic win for the team known as Bafana Bafana. Canada had the best chances all day, but underdog South Africa stayed firm defensively and created a handful of excellent chances itself.<\/p>

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