Co-host Canada secured a historic 1-0 victory against South Africa on June 28, 2026, marking the men’s national team’s first-ever knockout stage win at a FIFA World Cup. Midfielder Stephen Eustaquio scored the dramatic game-winning goal in the dying minutes to send Canada through.

Canada achieved a major landmark in their football history by defeating South Africa 1–0 in the Round of 32 at SoFi Stadium in California.

Jonathan David’s Winning Strike

Jonathan David scored the solitary goal in the second half, securing Canada’s first-ever knockout victory at a men’s World Cup.

Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair kept a clean sheet as Canada repelled South Africa’s late pressure.

Canadian fans celebrated nationwide as the co-hosts posted their best World Cup campaign in history.

Match Highlights and Record Viewership

The Winning Goal: Stephen Eustaquio broke the deadlock late in the match to seal the 1-0 win.

Historic Milestone: This win represents Canada’s first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match, pushing them further into the tournament.

Television Records: The broadcast drew an average audience of 5.2 million viewers across Canadian networks, making it the most-watched non-final knockout round match in the country’s history.