By Chigozie Chukwuleta
South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended in disappointment on Sunday after Bafana Bafana fell 1-0 to Canada in the first Round of 32 match at Los Angeles Stadium.
The defeat means South Africa bow out at the knockout stage, while Canada’s historic run continues with a first-ever appearance in the Round of 16 of a senior men’s World Cup.
A late strike from Stephen Eustáquio in second-half stoppage time settled the contest. With extra time looming, the midfielder thumped home what is now the biggest goal in Canadian men’s national team history to break South African hearts.
Canada will now face the winner of Monday’s Round of 32 clash between Morocco and the Netherlands, with that Round of 16 tie set for Saturday in Houston.
Despite losing home-field advantage from the group stage, Canada were backed by thousands of travelling supporters in California. Head coach Jesse Marsch made four changes for the match, handing central defender Moïse Bombito his first start of the tournament, while Tani Oluwaseyi, Liam Millar and Eustáquio returned to the starting XI. Captain Alphonso Davies, despite earlier assurances from Marsch, did not start.
South Africa’s exit brings an end to a tournament that saw them reach the Round of 32, but they could not find a way past a disciplined Canadian side.
Canada advanced to this stage after finishing second in Group B with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina, a 6-0 win over Qatar and a 2-1 loss to Switzerland.
