Canada’s hero who won the game Stephen Eustaquio said “he heard everyone shoot with me” as he said their history of defeating South Africa 1-0 in the World Cup was due to the belief in the camp and the whole country.
Eustaquio’s half-volley of the 92nd minute resolved the first knockout match of the 2026 World Cup to send the hosts, playing in Los Angeles, rather than the Canadians failing to win their team, in the last 16.
Canada created enough chances to win their first playoff game in style, with a special strike from Eustaquio that will soon go down as the most famous goal in the history of international football needed to beat South Africa’s impressive goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
It was an emotional moment for Eustaquio, who lost his father in 2024 a year after the death of his mother, and one that does not mean determination on the part of Jesse Marsch.
“I think we worked hard to get this victory,” said Eustaquio.
“We really wanted to give this win to all Canadians.
“I think it was an amazing goal but when I shot, I could feel everyone shooting with me. They put a little bit of energy into it and it went back into the net. So I’m very happy.”
Eustaquio hopes that Canada can get a surprise last-16
Canada will face the Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16 next Saturday. Eustaquio accepts that Canada will be underdogs, but hopes that their belief can once again make the difference.
“It [the belief] we started when we left the group stage. I think when it comes to winning the World Cup, belief plays a big part in it,” he added.
“Now, we will get Morocco or the Netherlands and who knows, on a good day we can make things happen. Maybe the level will not be there, but if we keep believing and keep working, things may go our way.”
The South African manager is not yet ready to announce his decision to retire
The coach of South Africa, Hugo Broos, refused to go public on whether he will retire after their exit from the tournament.
Although South Africa spent much of their first knockout game in World Cup history on the move, the 74-year-old insisted defeat and the disappointment of their performance did not take them away from reaching the round of 32.
“We will take it [retirement] a decision in the next few days,” said Broos.” “But it’s been a great World Cup. It won’t be an easy decision. I won’t say now if I’m going to quit or if I’m going to leave.”
“I’m still proud like two or three days ago. I think we had a good World Cup but today, when we play against a team like this, with strength and speed, we run behind. We have to learn this. So it was important for this team we were in.”
When asked if this is the start of regular matches for the World Cup in South Africa, he replied: “For us it is something we have to do and in the next few months I am sure that this team will be stronger than before because today we played against a team that is a little further away from us, we played a very good game.
