Canada’s match-winner Eustaquio ‘felt everyone was gunning for me’

CanadaMatch-winning hero Steven Eustaquio said he « felt everyone was gunning for me » as he credited their historic 1-0 World Cup win over South Africa to faith in camp and country.

Eustaquio’s 92nd minute volley decided the first leg of the 2026 World Cup knockout stages to send the hosts, who play in Los Angeles rather than Canada after failing to win their group, into the last 16.

Canada created enough chances to win their first knockout game by a much larger lead, with Eustaquio’s special strike, which will instantly go down as the most famous goal in the country’s football history, needed to beat South Africa’s impressive goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

It was an emotional moment for Eustaquio, who lost his father in 2024, a year after his mother’s death, and one he credited to the determination of Jesse Marsh’s side.

« I think we worked hard to get this win, » Eustaquio said.

« We really wanted to give this win to all Canadians. We just kept believing, kept pushing and I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

« I think it was an amazing goal, but when I shot I felt everyone was shooting with me. They put a bit of power into it and it went into the back of the net. So I’m very happy. »

Eustaquio hopes Canada can surprise for the 1/8s

Canada will face the Netherlands or Morocco in the round of 16 next saturday. Eustaquio accepts that Canada will be the underdogs, but hopes that their belief can once again make the difference.

« It (belief) started when we got out of the group stage. I think when it comes to the knockouts at the World Cup, belief plays a big part in that, » he added.

« Now we’ll take Morocco or Holland and who knows, on a good day we can make things happen. The quality probably won’t be there, but if we keep believing and keep working, things can go our way. »

The South African boss is not ready to announce a retirement decision

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has refused to say whether he will step down following their exit from the tournament.

Although South Africa spent most of their first ever knockout match at the World Cup on the back foot, the 74-year-old insisted that defeat and the disappointing nature of their performance did not take away from the achievement of reaching the last eight.

« We’ll make the decision (to retire) in the next couple of days, » Bruce said. « But it was a good World Cup. It won’t be an easy decision. I can’t say now whether I’ll stop or go.

« I’m still as proud as I was two or three days ago. I think we had a good World Cup, but today when we play against a team like this, with power and speed, then we’re behind. That’s something we have to learn. And that’s why it was important for this team to be here. »

Asked if this was the start of regular World Cup finals appearances for South Africa, he said: « For us it’s certainly something we have to do and in the next few months I’m sure this team will be stronger than before because today we played against a team that’s a bit further away from us. We played a pretty good game. We could have done more. »