By Francis Onyach - Reporter
USA, June 29, 2026 - South Africa's inspiring 2026 FIFA World Cup journey came to a heartbreaking end on Sunday after Stephen Eustáquio scored a stunning stoppage-time winner to give co-hosts Canada a dramatic 1-0 victory in the opening Round of 32 fixture.
With extra time just moments away, the Canadian midfielder unleashed a superb strike in the 92nd minute to send his nation into the World Cup last 16 for the first time in history while ending Bafana Bafana's memorable run.
The match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, pitted together two teams enjoying unprecedented World Cup campaigns. South Africa had exceeded expectations by progressing from a difficult group that included Italy and South Korea, while Canada had reached the knockout stage on home soil for the first time after an impressive group campaign despite injury concerns surrounding captain Alphonso Davies.
With a place in the Round of 16 at stake, both sides approached the contest cautiously.
Canada dominated possession during the opening exchanges and looked the more threatening team, but South Africa remained compact and disciplined defensively. Hugo Broos' side frustrated the hosts by denying space in central areas and forcing Canada into speculative efforts from distance.
The first major chance fell to Canada midway through the opening half.
Defender Moïse Bombito thought he had broken the deadlock after connecting with a dangerous delivery into the penalty area, only for South Africa to produce a remarkable goal-line clearance that preserved the goalless scoreline. It was a warning sign for Bafana Bafana, who continued to defend resolutely while looking to exploit counterattacking opportunities through Evidence Makgopa and Oswin Appollis.
Canada continued to push forward before the break and appealed strongly for a penalty after a challenge inside the South African penalty area. Following a VAR review, the referee waved away the appeals, much to the frustration of the Canadian players and supporters. South Africa survived another anxious moment and reached half-time with the scores level.
The second half followed a similar pattern.
Canada enjoyed the majority of possession but found it difficult to break down South Africa's organised defensive structure. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams commanded his penalty area with authority, while the back four dealt confidently with crosses and set pieces.
The introduction of captain Alphonso Davies after the interval injected fresh energy into Canada's attack. Having started on the bench as he continued his recovery from a hamstring injury, the Bayern Munich star immediately stretched the South African defence with his pace and direct running, creating more space for Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan in the final third.
Despite Canada's increasing pressure, South Africa appeared to be edging towards extra time.
More from Kenya
Bafana Bafana defended courageously, limiting clear-cut chances and showing the resilience that had defined their tournament. With the clock ticking into stoppage time, many expected the match to continue for another 30 minutes.
Then came the decisive moment.
In the second minute of added time, the ball fell invitingly to Stephen Eustáquio just outside the penalty area. The midfielder controlled calmly before rifling a powerful low effort beyond Ronwen Williams and into the bottom corner, sparking scenes of jubilation among the home supporters and the Canadian bench. The dramatic goal proved to be the winner, breaking South African hearts with virtually the final meaningful action of the match.
The final whistle confirmed a landmark achievement for Canadian football.
The 1-0 victory sent the co-hosts into the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in their history and made them the first team to advance from the newly introduced Round of 32 at an expanded FIFA World Cup. Head coach Jesse Marsch hailed his players as "Canadian heroes" after another resilient performance on home soil.
For South Africa, the defeat was cruel but should not overshadow an outstanding tournament.
Bafana Bafana arrived at the World Cup with modest expectations but emerged as one of Africa's biggest success stories. They progressed from the group stage after memorable performances, including an impressive victory over South Korea, and carried that confidence into the knockout rounds, where they pushed Canada to the brink of extra time.
Coach Hugo Broos, who has hinted that this could be his final tournament before retirement, praised his players for their commitment throughout the campaign. Although eliminated, South Africa leave North America with renewed belief and plenty of optimism for the future after producing their best-ever performance at a FIFA World Cup.
Canada's reward is a Round of 16 showdown against either Morocco or the Netherlands, depending on the outcome of that Round of 32 fixture. With home support behind them and growing confidence after this dramatic victory, Jesse Marsch's side will believe they can continue their historic run.
As for South Africa, the final whistle brought disappointment, but not failure. Bafana Bafana proved they belonged on football's biggest stage, matching one of the tournament's most in-form teams for more than 90 minutes before a moment of brilliance from Eustáquio settled an absorbing contest. Their World Cup dream may be over, but their performances have earned respect across the football world and provided another powerful reminder of the growing strength of African football.