Canadian soccer fans were ready for the anxiety that comes with extra time at World Cup knockout round, but midfielder Stephen Eustáquio ensured they never got there.
Eustáquio’s thunderous volley two minutes into second half stoppage time broke open a scoreless draw with South Africa, and ensured Canada’s men’s national team advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in tournament history.
“We really wanted to give this win to all the Canadians,” Eustáquio told TSN after the match. “When I shot, I felt everybody shot with me. Everybody put a bit of power on it and it went into the back of the net.”
Eustáquio strike came seconds after the South African defence repelled a cross from Canadian midfielder Jacob Shaffelburg, who came on in the 70th minute in place of Liam Millar. Eustáquio chested the ball down, and hammered a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
South African goaltender Ronwen Williams dived to his right, but couldn’t get a glove on the shot, sending Canadian fans in Los Angeles into a frenzy.
“I felt joy, I felt relief,” said Team Canada captain Alphonso Davies missed Canada’s group games due to injury, but was subbed on in the 75th minute of Canada’s win on Sunday. “It was total joy for us as a team.”
The match against South Africa marked Eustáquio’s return to the starting line-up after he came off the bench as a substitute in Canada’s final group game against Switzerland. Millar and striker Tani Oluwaseyi joined Eustáquio in returning to the starting line-up.
Canada had most of the chances through 90 minutes, with the South African’s sitting back in defence and doing everything to stifle the Canadian attack. Canada’s best chance came near the end of the first half, when the South African defence were forced to clear a header from Canadian defender Moise Bombito off the goal line.
The Canadian players continued to pile on the pressure and were furious when Richie Laryea went down inside the box. However, Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro declined to give a penalty, despite Canadian protests.
The South African defence continued to soak up pressure in the second half before Eustáquio’s heroics put Canada into the next round.
The victory means Canada will face the winner of the Morocco-Netherlands game, which is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Eustáquio said the team knows whoever they face will be a challenge, but they’re ready for it.
“If we keep believing, we keep working, things could go our way,” he told TSN.
Canada’s Round-of-16 knockout game is scheduled for July 4 in Houston.
@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca
