Canada‘s match-winning hero Stephen Eustaquio said he “felt everyone shoot with me” as he attributed their historic 1-0 World Cup win over South Africa to the belief in the camp and the country.
Eustaquio’s 92nd-minute half-volley settled the first knockout game of the 2026 World Cup to send the co-hosts, playing in Los Angeles rather than in Canada having failed to win their group, into the last 16.
Canada created enough chances to win their first ever knockout game by a much greater margin, with a special strike from Eustaquio that will instantly go down as the most famous goal in the country’s footballing history required to beat the impressive South Africa 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 he attributed to the determination of Jesse Marsch’s side.
“I think we worked a lot to get this victory,” Eustaquio said.
“We really wanted to give this win to all of the Canadians. We just kept believing, kept pushing and I couldn’t have imagined it any other way.
“I think it was an amazing goal but when I shot, I felt everyone shoot with me. They put a little bit of power on it and it went into the back of the net. So I am very happy.”
Eustaquio hopeful Canada can spring last-16 surprise
Canada will face Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16 next Saturday. Eustaquio accepts Canada will be underdogs, but is hopeful their belief could again make the difference.
“It [the belief] started when we came out of the group stage. I think when it comes to the knockouts of the World Cup, the belief brings a big part to it,” he added.
“Now, we’re going to get Morocco or the Netherlands and who knows, on a good day we can make things happen. Probably the quality is not going to be there, but if we keep believing and keep working, things might go our way.”
South Africa boss not ready to announce retirement decision
South Africa coach Hugo Broos refused to say whether he will retire in the wake of their exit from the tournament.
Despite South Africa spending most of their first knockout game in World Cup history on the back foot, the 74-year-old insisted the defeat and the disappointing nature of their performance does not take away from the achievement of reaching the round of 32.
“We will take the [retirement] decision in the next few days,” Broos said. “But it’s been a nice World Cup. It will not be an easy decision. I can’t say now if I will stop or I will go.
“I’m still just as proud as two or three days ago. I think we had a good World Cup but today, when we play against a team like this, with power and speed then we’re running behind. This is something we have to learn. And therefore it was important for this team that we were here.”
Asked if this is the start of regular World Cup finals appearances for South Africa, he replied: “For us it’s certainly something we have to do and in the next few months I’m sure this team will be stronger than before because today we played against a team who are a little bit further than we are. We played quite a good game. We could have done more.”
