Stephen Eustaquio scored a 92nd-minute winner as Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles to progress to the final 16 of the World Cup.
Co-hosts Canada misplaced their residence benefit having did not win Group B, however they nonetheless dominated a recreation between two sides every enjoying their first World Cup knockout match.
The sport had appeared destined for additional time regardless of a string of probabilities for Canada, however Eustaquio made the one which got here his method rely to attain what’s going to immediately turn out to be probably the most well-known objective in his nation’s footballing historical past.
Canada’s reward is a tie with the Netherlands or Morocco on July 4.
Eustaquio writes beautiful new chapter in Canada’s World Cup historical past
Possibilities had been few and much between within the first half, although Canada went agonisingly near breaking the impasse simply earlier than half-time as Moise Bombito noticed his goal-bound header cleared off the road by Aubrey Modiba, with Ronwen Williams then denying Tajon Buchanan on the follow-up.
Controversy adopted when Richie Laryea went down within the field beneath a problem from Khuliso Mudau, however referee Joao Pinheiro’s resolution to wave away Canada’s penalty claims was backed up by VAR.
There was extra frustration for Canada within the sixty fourth minute as Tani Oluwaseyi raced via on objective solely to be thwarted by Williams, with the rebound brilliantly cleared by Mbekezeli Mbokazi to forestall Jonathan David nodding within the rebound.
Shortly after Alphonso Davies was launched for his first look of the match, Canada noticed one other alternative go begging as Promise David curled narrowly large from lengthy vary.
Jonathan David drew a near-post save from the spectacular Williams, earlier than Maxime Crepeau was required on the different finish to repel an Oswin Appollis drive.
However Canada’s superiority instructed in stoppage time, as Eustaquio took benefit of South Africa’s failure to clear a supply into the field, bringing the ball down along with his chest earlier than powering an unerring strike into the bottom-left nook to make sure the co-hosts’ journey will proceed in Houston subsequent Saturday.
