Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
South Africa succumbed 1-0 to Canada in the first Round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup, held at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday night.
Stephen Eustaquio scored the only goal of the game in injury time, sending Canada through to the next round to face either the Netherlands or Morocco on Saturday in Houston.
As for Bafana Bafana, they put up a disciplined and dedicated performance, but ultimately Canada were the better team and deserved victory.
The teams both showed a willingness to attack and traded half chances through the opening 20 minutes. Canada then had the first clear opportunity midway through the first half when Derek Cornelius got on the end of a free kick for an unmarked header just a few metres out, but his effort lacked power and direction, and was easily saved by Ronwen Williams.
The Canucks demonstrated their set piece prowess again in the 44th minute when Moise Bombito headed on target from a corner kick, but Aubrey Modiba was well placed to make a goal-line clearance. The subsequent scramble in the box then saw Williams deny Tajon Buchanan at close range.
Canada, with all the momentum on their side as the interval approached, had a strong shout for a penalty in injury time when Richie Laryea tumbled under a challenge from Khulio Mudau, but referee Joao Pinheiro waved away the co-hosts’ appeals – with television replays vindicating his decision.
Bafana Bafana made one change at the start of the second half, with Relebohile Mofokeng making way for Thalente Mbatha, while Canada waited until just before the hour mark to make their first two substitutions, with Niko Sigur and Luc De Fougerolles entering the fray.
South Africa threatened to break the deadlock in the 62nd minute when Oswin Appollis picked up a loose ball and struck a long-range drive just wide of the target.
Three minutes later Canada almost went ahead, with Williams making a vital save to keep out the speedy Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi, before a looping loose ball was spectacularly cleared away by Mbekezeli Mbokazi – without which Buchanan would have had a tap-in.
The North Americans had another sight of goal in the 76th minute when Jonathan David teed up substitute Promise David to drive a low shot just wide of the mark. Shortly thereafter Jonathan David fired an effort on goal from a tight angle down the left of the penalty area, but Williams stood firm to punch the ball clear.
On 85 minutes Bafana forced the first notable save from Canada’s Maxime Crepeau, with Appollis hitting a curling shot from outside the box that forced the goalkeeper to move sharply to his left.
The match looked set for an extra 30 minutes, but in injury time Canada’s Stephen Eustaquio latched onto a headed clearance on the edge of the box and crashed a volley beyond the reach of Williams and into the bottom corner of the net to claim victory for the tournament co-hosts.
South Africa 0
Canada (0) 1 (S. Eustaquio 90+2’)
SA: R. Williams, K. Mudau, I. Okon, M. Mbokazi, A. Modiba, T. Mokoena, Y. Sithole, O. Appollis, R. Mofokeng (T. Mbatha 46’), T. Maseko (T. Moremi 86’), E, Makgopa (I. Rayners 86’)
Canada: M. Crepeau, A. Johnston, M. Bombito (L. De Fougerolles 59’), D. Cornelius, R. Laryea, T. Buchanan (A. Davies 75’), N. Saliba (N. Sigur 59’), S. Eustaquio, L. Millar (J. Shaffelburg 70’), J. David, T. Oluwaseyi (P. David 70’)
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