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Rabat – South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended painfully after a stoppage-time goal gave Canada a 1-0 victory in their round-of-32 match.
With the game appearing set for extra time, Stephen Eustáquio scored from outside the penalty area in the 92nd minute to send the co-hosts through to the last 16.
The midfielder controlled a clearance near the edge of the box before driving a powerful right-footed shot beyond South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The goal sparked celebrations among the Canadian players and coaching staff while leaving Bafana Bafana with almost no time to respond.
Canada will now face the winner of the Netherlands-Morocco match in the round of 16.
South Africa resist canadian pressure
Canada controlled much of the match and created the better chances, but South Africa remained organized and difficult to break down.
Williams produced several important saves, while South Africa’s defenders made some blocks and clearances to keep the game goalless.
Moise Bombito came close to opening the scoring shortly before halftime when his header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba.
Williams then denied Tajon Buchanan during a crowded sequence inside the South African penalty area.
Canada also appealed for a penalty after Richie Laryea went down following a challenge from Khuliso Mudau. The referee allowed play to continue after a video review showed that Mudau had made contact with the ball.
South Africa offered little attacking threat during the first half but improved slightly after the break.
Teboho Mokoena tested Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau with a long-range effort, while Oswin Appollis later sent an attempt wide.
However, Bafana Bafana struggled to create a clear chance and spent much of the match defending close to their own penalty area.
Williams keeps South Africa alive
Williams remained South Africa’s most important player during the second half.
The captain made a strong save when Tani Oluwaseyi broke through on goal, before Mbekezeli Mbokazi cleared the rebound away from Jonathan David.
That defensive effort appeared to have taken the match into extra time.
However, South Africa failed to clear the danger properly during stoppage time, allowing Eustáquio to collect the loose ball and score the decisive goal.
The defeat ended South Africa’s best World Cup campaign.
Hugo Broos’ team became the first South African side to progress beyond the group stage after previous first-round exits in 1998, 2002 and 2010.
They recovered from a difficult opening defeat against Mexico, which included two red cards, before drawing with Czechia and beating South Korea to qualify for the knockout stage.
Broos confirms final world Cup
The defeat also marked Hugo Broos’ final match at a World Cup.
The 74-year-old coach confirmed after the game that he would not take part in another edition of the tournament, although he stopped short of immediately announcing his retirement from coaching.
Broos said he would wait before making a final decision about his future because of the disappointment surrounding the defeat.
He took charge of South Africa in 2021 and rebuilt the team around a largely domestic-based group of players.
Under his leadership, Bafana Bafana returned to the World Cup after a 16-year absence and reached the knockout rounds for the first time.
South Africa’s campaign ended with heartbreak, but reaching the round of 32 represented an important step forward for the national team.
Canada, meanwhile, reached the World Cup round of 16 for the first time in their history after finding the decisive goal when extra time appeared almost certain.
