Stephen Eustaquio scored in the 92nd minute, securing a historic 1-0 victory for Canada over South Africa and advancing the men's team to the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time. The midfielder, on loan at Los Angeles FC from Porto, became visibly emotional after the match, dedicating his game-winning goal to his late parents. His mother, Esmeralda, died of brain cancer in 2023, and his father, Armando, passed away from a heart attack a year later.
During a post-match interview, Eustaquio was asked how he was remembering his family, including his young daughter born in 2024, in the moment of triumph. "Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, for my girlfriend, for my daughter For my brother. For my friends back home. For all of them," he responded, choked with emotion.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch praised Eustaquio, calling him a "deserving human being" for the pivotal moment. "I'm really happy for him and I think from somewhere his parents are looking down and they saw that," Marsch said.
The decisive goal came after a scoreless match in Los Angeles. Alistair Johnston's long pass found Eustaquio in the box, where he controlled the ball and scored into the bottom corner. The victory marks a significant milestone for Canadian soccer.
Marsch addressed his team on the field after the win, declaring them "Canadian heroes today" for their achievement and for inspiring future generations of the sport in the country. He emphasized their unwavering belief throughout the match.
Canada will now face the winner of the match between the Netherlands and Japan in the next round.