Mexico and the United States won Groups A and D respectively and will begin the World Cup knockout phase in their home countries. The third host nation, Canada, however, had to leave its home field and play the round of 16 in the United States after finishing second behind Switzerland in Group B.
The opposition in Inglewood, California, was South Africa, second behind Mexico in Group A, and the World Cup's first round of 16 was played between two countries that had never before made it past the group stage in a men's World Cup.
South Africa started the match better, but then Canada took over and created the most scoring chances and shots on goal. But getting the ball in the net was more difficult. The match went into extra time when Stephen Eustáquio, who had worn the captain's armband at the World Cup when Alphonso Davies had injury problems, received a South African header from the penalty area with his chest and then finished safely with his right foot in the 92nd minute. Canada won the match 1-0 and advanced to the World Cup round of 16, which has never happened before.
"We worked hard to win this game. We wanted to win for all Canadians," Eustáquio said in the post-match interview.
Canada will next face the winner between the Netherlands and Morocco in the round of 16 in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, July 4. The opponent will be decided on Tuesday night, Swedish time, when the round of 16 will be played in Guadalupe, Mexico.
