Canada beats South Africa 1-0 to become first team into round of 16

Canada, one of the co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, became the first team to advance to the round of 16 — eliminating South Africa, the side that knocked out South Korea in the group stage.

Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 Sunday at Los Angeles Stadium in California in their round-of-32 match.

Having finished second in Group B to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their World Cup history, Canada also became the first team through to the round of 16. South Africa, who had beaten South Korea to reach the round of 32 from Group A, had to settle for that historic first knockout-stage appearance after the loss.

Canada went on the attack as early as the seventh minute, when Stephen Eustaquio tested the goalkeeper with a long-range shot. The match remained tightly contested, and in the 44th minute a corner kick from the left led to a near-miss — Moïse Bombito's header at the near post struck a South Africa defender and bounced clear without crossing the line.

After a scoreless first half, Canada came close again in the 65th minute when Tani Oluwaseyi cut into the left side of the penalty area and fired with his left foot, only to be denied by the goalkeeper.

It was Eustaquio who finally broke the deadlock. In the second minute of stoppage time, a cross from the right deflected off a defender and fell to him, and he drove a powerful right-footed shot into the South Africa net. The goal proved to be the winner, sending Canada into the round of 16.