Canada reach World Cup last 16 as late strike sinks South Africa

LOS ANGELES, United States: Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time winner fired Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday in the first match of the World Cup knockout rounds, as the co-hosts advance to the last 16 for the first time in their history.
With both sides making their first-ever appearance in the knockout phase, the game appeared to be heading for extra time, before Eustaquio broke South African hearts with a clinical hit from just outside the area.
Canada — playing in Los Angeles despite being co-hosts, after failing to win their group — will now face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston in the last 16 on July 4, as South Africa’s World Cup adventure comes to an end.
Before the game, coach Jesse Marsch had talked up the “X-factor” of Canada’s star Alphonso Davies, available again after a hamstring injury.
But the Bayern Munich wing-back, who was yet to appear at this World Cup, remained glaringly absent from the starting line-up.
Still, Canada began on the front foot, racking up chances against South Africa’s low block.
In the 22nd minute, a pinpoint Eustaquio free-kick found Derek Cornelius wide open on the six-yard line. The Canada center-back utterly mistimed his headed effort.
South Africa threatened sporadically on the counter.