Canada qualifies for World Cup knockout stage with late goal against South Africa

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Jesse Marsch clenched both fists and, for a split second, seemed to resist the temptation to charge on to the pitch to celebrate the goal that sent Canada into the last 16 of the World Cup. But then all hell broke loose, Marsch, some of his Canada staff and a raft of unused substitutes emptied on to the turf. Sixty-four seconds into at least five minutes of second-half stoppage time, Stephen Eustáquio chested a South Africa clearance and struck a sweet right-foot shot with his laces, the ball thudding into the bottom corner of the goal. It was undoubtedly deserved but for so long it was impossible to shake the sense that the game was heading for extra time, South Africa seemingly content to play the long game, showing little ambition on the ball. Their goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, was frequently booed for retaining possession. Continue reading...

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Stephen Eustaquio's stoppage-time winner fired Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday in the first match of the World Cup knockout rounds, as the co-hosts advance to the last 16 for the first time in their history.Canada -- playing in Los Angeles despite being co-hosts, after failing to win their group -- will now face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston in the last 16 on July 4, as South Africa's World Cup adventure comes to an end.

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Stephen Eustáquio netted a special strike in stoppage time to give Canada a 1-0 win over South Africa in the first last-32 game at the World Cup on Sunday. In the first ever World Cup knock-out clash for both sides, the co-hosts were the better team and finally made the breakthrough with extra-time looming.