Canada booked a historic place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after edging South Africa 1-0 with a dramatic stoppage-time winner on Sunday.

The closely contested Round of 32 encounter looked set for extra time before Stephen Eustáquio struck in the 92nd minute, firing home from the edge of the box to seal Canada’s first-ever victory in a men’s World Cup knockout match.

Both sides created limited chances in a tactical contest dominated by disciplined defending. South Africa, making its maiden appearance in the World Cup knockout stage, held firm for most of the match but were ultimately undone by Canada’s late breakthrough.

The victory marks another milestone for the Canadian team, which has enjoyed its best-ever World Cup campaign. Head coach Jesse Marsch praised his players for their resilience and determination, describing the achievement as a historic moment for Canadian football.

For South Africa, the defeat brought an end to an impressive tournament in which Bafana Bafana reached the knockout rounds for the first time. Despite the disappointment, the team earned widespread praise for its spirited performances throughout the competition.

Canada will now advance to the Round of 16, where they will continue their quest for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.