LOS ANGELES, June 29– World Cup co-host Canada beat South Africa 1-0 here on Sunday, advancing to the round of 16 for the first time ever.
Canada midfielder Stephen Eustaquio scored a 92nd-minute winner when a headed clearance fell nicely to him on the edge of the box, hitting his shot first-time into the bottom corner. “We worked a lot to get this victory. We just kept believing and kept pushing. It was an amazing goal,” Eustaquio, who was named player of the match, said afterwards. “When I shot I felt everyone shot with me. Everybody put a little bit of power on it and it went to the back of the net, so I’m very happy,” he added. The first round-of-32 match featured two teams who were progressing from a World Cup group stage for the first time in their history. Canada coach Jesse Marsch made several changes in the lineup. After recovering from injury, Moise Bombito started in central defense for the first time in this World Cup, replacing Luc de Fougerolles.
In a 4-4-2 formation, Liam Millar was back on the left wing for Ali Ahmed, while Tani Oluwaseyi replaced Cyle Larin up front. Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies, who missed Canada’s three Group B matches, started from the bench and came on in the 75th minute, and immediately lifted the team with some clinical passes and attacking flair.Marsch hailed his team’s performance, noting that this was his team’s first game at this World Cup to be played outside Canada. “We were disappointed to have to leave Canada, given the fanfare and passion around everything for the World Cup and our team,” admitted Marsch. “But the guys quickly refocused and knew that this was a massive opportunity.” South Africa coach Hugo Broos made just one change from the team who beat South Korea 1-0 in their final Group A game.
Having missed the South Korea game through suspension, star midfielder Teboho Mokoena came back as a starter. “It was a difficult game but I knew beforehand, because I analyzed the opponent. They have power and speed. We hoped we had an answer for that but it was not always the fact,” Broos said. At 74 years and 79 days, Broos became the oldest coach in World Cup knockout-phase history. The game began in a cagey fashion with the first big chance coming for Canada in the 44th minute, when Bombito’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by South Africa defender Aubrey Modiba. Canada forward Tajon Buchanan lashed at goal in the ensuing melee after Bombito’s chance, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a point-blank stop. The second half saw a balanced contest, though Davies injected fresh energy into Canada after coming off the bench. Canada will now face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the round of 16. “We will try to make Morocco and the Netherlands see our game and feel [that] if they go through, they’re going to get the hardest game they’re going to face in this World Cup,” Eustaquio said.
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