INGLEWOOD, CA — Stephen Eustáquio didn’t actually know how much time was on the clock.
He remembered trying to figure out how much time was left during the final hydration break of Canada’s round of 32 match against South Africa, but after that, he had no idea what the clock said. All he knew was the match was near the end, and that’s when the ball bounced right to him.
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And after some patience, a swift kick from his right foot delivered the biggest moment in Canada soccer history.
He found the back of the net, and then found out how much time there was. In the second minute of stoppage time, he broke the scoreless draw inside SoFi Stadium on Sunday, June 28 to give Canada its first World Cup knockout round win in national team history and advance to the round of 16 for the first time.
It sent the Canadian fans into jubilation as the entire team, on the field and the bench, mobbed him, knowing he was the hero in the country’s most important win thus far in the tournament.
And there wasn’t a more perfect person to have the moment.
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“I couldn’t think of a more deserving human being in a group of incredible human beings,” said coach Jesse Marsch. “Maybe Steph is the most deserving to have a moment like that.”
Stephen Eustaquio of Canada celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with team mates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada,
Since electing to play for his home country instead of Portugal, where he grew up, Eustáquio has risen to a leader as the match marked his 60th cap with Canada. He was named the vice captain, stepping up into the primary captain role whenever star Alphonso Davies isn’t on the pitch.
Marsch said Eustáquio lives up to the role, understanding what it takes to be a “true leader” and calling him the most reliable person on the squad.
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“He’s selfless, he gives 110% every single time he steps on the pitch,” said right back Richie Laryea. “He leads by example. For him to get that goal, and everything he’s done in this jersey since he started, yeah, I think it’s special.”
It goes further than what goes on the field. In 2023, Eustáquio lost his mother to brain cancer. One year later, his dad died of a heart attack. The loss brought him and his brother, Inter Toronto FC coach Mauro Eustáquio, closer. The same year of his dad’s death is when Eustáquio became a father.
After the final whistle sounded, all of the emotions since then came out as tears came down when talking with Canadian reporters.
“Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, for my girlfriend, for my daughter, for my brother, for my friends,” he said on the broadcast.
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That’s what made the game-winner so special. All that Eustáquio endured in recent years to get to this point, and playing near his current club of Los Angeles FC, had the moment of a lifetime.
“Everything that he’s been through,” Marsch said. “Really happy for him, and I think from somewhere, his parents are looking down, and they saw that.”
Eustáquio told reporters he was “over the moon” over the goal, and even though he instantly became the hero as fans inside the stadium belted “O Canada” from the top of their lungs after the whistle, he didn’t want to claim the glory all to himself.
“I feel very happy that I scored the goal that was able to help the team, but you know that shot, I felt that everybody in the team shot that ball with me,” he said. “We feel like we’re our brothers, and at the same time, when we fight for each other, when we play for each other, special things like this can happen.”
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Regardless, it’s a moment that will live in the history books of Canadian soccer, coming into the knockout round as the one odd host nation for the 2026 tournament.
The United States, Mexico and Canada all made the round of 32, but it’s fair to say Canada felt the least happy with its position. The U.S. and Mexico won their groups and still get to play a knockout match on their home soil, while Canada didn’t win Group B, and as a result, will have to play the rest of the tournament away from home.
Marsch admitted it was a disappointing draw for his team, but he gave them credit for not dwelling on it and instead pushing through what was a rugged matchup with South Africa. It wasn’t the prettiest brand of football for the majority of the contest, but just as regulation was coming to a close, Eustáquio gave Canada a goal it will never forget – and maybe change the trajectory of the sport in the country.
“The timing of the goal means that the win is incredibly dramatic, and I think the effect that it will have in Canada and the inspiring of people will be immense,” Marsch said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stephen Eustáquio is Canada World Cup hero in ‘most deserving’ moment
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