It certainly wasn’t a game to write home about, but history was written nevertheless.
Canada, after already making history by advancing past the group stage for the first time, waded into uncharted waters once more by beating South Africa 1-0 in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup on Sunday afternoon.
Stephen Eustaquio changed the tide in the second minute of extra time, finding the back of the net with a long-range volley from just outside the box and breaking the scoreless deadlock in Los Angeles.
Though neither team had broken through until then, it was hardly for lack of trying. Canada peppered 12 shots over the full 90 but was unable to finish off its opportunities.
Canada looked like a new team late, as captain Alphoso Davies made his first appearance of the tournament, coming on as a sub in the 74th minute and injecting some life down the left wing and in the final third.
With the win, Canada is off to the Round of 16 for the first time in program history, where a matchup against the Netherlands or Morocco awaits. Those two sides will square off on Monday.
