South Africa v Canada
Play By Play
We have our first nation into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup! It was a game that was crying out for a moment of real quality for the entire 90 minutes, and that is precisely what Eustaquio delivered to book Canada a date with the Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16. In truth, despite having less of the ball and lacking sufficient intensity for large parts of the tie, it is what they deserved. South Africa (0.13 xG) pay the price for a gameplan that was anchored on frustrating Marsch's side (1.32 xG) from the get-go, moving the ball slowly around the back four and midfield without ever really piercing Canada's press in a meaningful way, much to the frustration of the neutrals inside Los Angeles stadium. Canada could easily have led in the first half, with Cornelius, Bombito and Buchanan all seeing efforts cleared or saved at close range from set-pieces, as well as a contentious penalty call for a Mudau challenge on Laryea which was not given on the stroke of half-time. Oluwaseyi had the best of the second-half chances, racing away ahead of the defenders only to see his effort saved by Williams, and David’s follow-up was thwarted by Mbokazi. The introduction of Alphonso Davies for his first minutes of the tournament provided a brief injection of quality midway through the second half, before soon fizzling out again as South Africa defended with heart and in numbers. We looked set for 30 minutes more in extra time. That was until the 92nd minute… when a Johnston cross was headed to the edge of the box where Eustaquio was waiting. The LAFC midfielder chested the ball down calmly, let it drop and rifled a perfect finish into the bottom corner to send his nation into their first-ever World Cup round-of-16 tie. Canada and Marsch will know their opponents on Tuesday, when the Netherlands and Morocco meet. They will also know that no matter the result of that one, they will face a far sterner test of their credentials than South Africa posed today. Marsch will have Davies wrapped in cotton wool now, ahead of their date with destiny on July 4 in Houston. That’s all from Los Angeles, thanks for following and we’ll see you next time!
FULL TIME: SOUTH AFRICA 0-1 CANADA.
Mbatha swings in a hopeful cross inside the final minute but Crepeau comes out confidently and leaps to collect the ball before dropping safely to the floor...
It is a special moment for the co-hosts, and an even sweeter one for Eustaquio, who plays his football in Los Angeles for LAFC. Can South Africa get themselves back into this in the final four minutes?
EUSTAQUIO SURELY WINS IT FOR CANADA!!! QUITE INCREDIBLE!!!!! Just as this game looked to be fizzling out, the Canadians' elegant midfielder rifles them into the last 16!!! Johnston gets down the right side and sends in a hopeful ball which is cleared to the edge of the box, where Eustaquio is free to chest the ball down, let it bounce and drill the cleanest of strikes into the bottom corner with Williams stranded. A knife to the heart of the South Africans! 1-0 to Canada!
We are into five minutes of stoppage time as South Africa continue to frustrate the fans inside the stadium, stroking it around with no real intensity, just waiting to pick a gap in the Canadian press.
Appollis turns and spins past a couple of challenges in midfield and fires a pass into Rayners in a central area but the striker's touch is poor and De Fougerolles comes across to clean up. South Africa are ending this game the stronger side.
It looks as though we are heading for another 30 minutes of football in Los Angeles. Neither side wants to go home, but the game is opening up slightly in the closing stages.
Maseko is replaced by Moremi as Broos adds some pace to proceedings with the winger coming on.
Makgopa's game comes to an end as target man Rayners adds some physicality up front with extra time looming.
Appollis once again looks the most likely for South Africa, as he jinks back onto his right foot past a defender and hits a powerful effort on target, but Crepeau is equal to it.
Davies sets off down the left flank again, with plenty of space to gallop into but Mudau scampers across and gets his body in front of the Bayern star. South Africa's right-back has been immense today.
Johnston clips a searching pass into the feet of Promise David who holds the ball up well, spins and tries to roll the ball into the path of an on-running teammate, but they are nowhere to be seen and Williams rushes out to collect.
We have seen almost instantly the effect Davies' presence has had on South Africa. The width he is holding is causing Mudau to come out further from the block and leaving gaps in the half-spaces. It is advantage Canada now you feel...
SAVED!! Lightning work from Davies again as he draws two defenders onto him on the left flank, leaving space behind them to find Jonathan David at a tight angle inside the box. The forward hits a powerful effort towards the near top corner, but Williams uses his stature to beat the ball away.
Davies shows his quality instantly!!! He drills a lovely pass into the feet of Promise David, who is 20 yards from goal and turns in space, but his low effort zips narrowly past the base of Williams' right-hand post.
Here we go then. Alphonso Davies enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Can he change the course of this game for his nation? He replaces Buchanan who has struggled to have any impact.
South Africa continue to bait Canada into pressing them, moving the ball around with more confidence. This time they are able to convert that build-up into a chance, but Mbatha gets his shot all wrong on the edge of the box.
Shaffelburg replaces Millar on the flank. Davies' wait goes on.
Minutes after going so close on the break, Oluwaseyi is off for Promise David, who scored the goal in the 2-1 defeat to Switzerland.
Into the second hydration break we move, as Marsch delivers stern instructions to his side. You imagine he will be asking for greater intensity and a few more risks to be taken in the final third. When will he turn to Davies? South Africa will feel there is at least a couple of opportunities for them to win this.
Sigur is booked for a foul as South Africa break down the left.
Heroic defending from South Africa!!! Canada break with speed as Millar slips Oluwaseyi in over the halfway line and the forward races away, only for Mudau to slide in and push the ball slightly further out of his reach, but Oluwaseyi manages to get to the ball and get a left-footed effort on target which is saved superbly by the shoulder of Williams. Mbokazi then saves a certain goal as the loose ball is followed in by David, but the South African defender gets himself in front of the striker and clears it behind for a corner. Canada's best moment of the second half.
Much, much better from South Africa. A deep crossfield pass from Mudau finds its way to Appollis on the left side of the penalty area. The Orlando Pirates winger checks inside his marker and fires a dipping effort from 30 yards which flies a couple of yards wide of the far top corner. They have looked far more assured in this second half.
Canada's most potent attacking option on the pitch is David, who struck a clinical hat-trick against Qatar on matchday 2. He has had just 22 touches of the ball in this game, and only six of those in the South African box.
