FIFA World Cup

Round of 32

RSA South Africa South Africa - CAN Canada Canada

South Africa South Africa

Canada Canada

90' +2'
S. Eustaquio

Los Angeles Stadium(69,237 Spectators)

João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro

Full-time: South Africa 0-1 Canada

The co-hosts get it done in stoppage time to set up a last 16 game against either Morocco or the Netherlands. In the second half, Canada were by far the better team and had several chances to take the lead. In the final third, however, they were far too wasteful. With Davies came a breath of fresh air before a moment of true quality from Eustáquio got the job done. South Africa are eliminated, but they certainly didn't go down without a fight.

End of second half

Full-time

90'

+ 5

South Africa throw the kitchen sink

Bafana Bafana have pushed everyone forward in search of an equaliser. However, the end product simply hasn't been there. Crépeau comes out to collect a loose cross. That should be that.

Eustáquio has surely won it!

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Eustáquio, who has been a standout performer for Canada today, makes all the difference. He collects a loose ball at the edge of the South Africa box, and beautifully drives it into the bottom left corner of the net on the half-volley. You have to say, Canada deserve it after their toil today.

90'

+ 2

Stephen Eustaquio

GOAL!

0:1

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

7 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

18.03 m

90'

Stoppage time

There will be a minimum of five additional minutes. Will we see a late winner here?

87'

Double South Africa change

Rayners and Moremi are on for the final few minutes of normal time.

86'

Substitution

Iqraam Rayners

Evidence Makgopa

86'

Substitution

Tshepang Moremi

Thapelo Maseko

85'

Rare South Africa attack

Appollis appears in the opposition half and shoots from around 20 yards out. Crépeau has to stretch to make the stop, but he - just about - holds onto the ball.

84'

Canada running out of time

There are less than 10 minutes of normal time left, and despite their very best efforts, the first goal of the game remains elusive. Canada look far more likely to score as things stand, especially after Davies' introduction.

80'

Instant impact

Davies is pulling the strings once again, laying the ball into the path of Promise David on the left side of the South Africa box. The forward's shot is too central and is palmed away by Williams.

Here comes Canada's captain...

Davies is on for the first time at this World Cup. Right away, the Bayern man is involved in a sweeping counter, which ends up with David shooting wide from range.

75'

Substitution

Alphonso Davies

Tajon Buchanan

73'

Will Canada live to regret their missed chances?

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

Despite an xG value of 2.07, they still haven't found the back of the net so far.

xGoals

0.1

2.07

Goals

71'

Hydration break

The second hydration break is called by the referee. Marsch has used the opportunity to make some more substitutions, bringing on Promise David and Shaffelburg for the final 20 minutes or so.

70'

Substitution

Jacob Shaffelburg

Liam Millar

70'

Substitution

Promise David

Tani Oluwaseyi

69'

What a clearance!

Oluwaseyi runs away from the entire South African but is denied by a strong Williams save. After that, Mbokazi hacks the ball away just ahead of David, who would have had a simple finish otherwise. Somehow, it's still 0-0.

67'

Yellow card

Niko Sigur

64'

Appollis from range

The South African attacker has time and space to shoot. He does so from around 25 yards out, but his effort skews well off target.

62'

Mixed afternoon for Saliba

He may have picked up a yellow card, but prior to that, the Canadian midfielder ranked the highest in his team for duels won.

Duels won

Khuliso Mudau Nathan-Dylan Saliba

59'

First Canada changes

Marsch brings on Sigur and De Fougerolles for the booked Saliba and Bombito. Still no sign of Davies, however...

59'

Substitution

Luc De Fougerolles

Moïse Bombito

59'

Substitution

Niko Sigur

Nathan-Dylan Saliba

58'

Slick counter

A move that starts with the South African goalkeeper very nearly opens Canada up. In the end, Mbatha floats a cross towards the back post, but Crépeau is alert to the danger and plucks the ball out of the sky.

55'

Saliba booked

The Canadian midfielder dragged his opponent back in the middle of the park to prevent an attack. He duly picks up a yellow card for the tactical foul.

54'

Yellow card

Nathan-Dylan Saliba

52'

Long throw goes awry

Johnston tries to launch one into the South Africa box, but it evades all of his teammates. The co-hosts have looked a little flat so far this half.

49'

Normal service resumes

South Africa have started the half by reasserting control in the middle of the pitch. They'll be hoping to do more with it in dangerous areas though.

46'

Second-half gets going

The ball is rolling again in LA. South African head coach Broos has made his first change, bringing on Mbatha for Mofokeng.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 4

Substitution

Thalente Mbatha

Relebohile Mofokeng

Half-time: South Africa 0-0 Canada

We are goalless at the break, but Canada will feel like they should be ahead by at least one goal. South Africa have enjoyed more possession but lack end product in the final third, while Canada had had a penalty claim and a shot cleared off the line. A huge 45 minutes awaits both sides...

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

There will be a minimum of three minutes added on.

45'

Penalty appeal!

Laryea goes down under a challange and wants a penalty kick, but Mudau appeared to touch the ball first and then the opponent. The referee waves away Canada's protests.

Cleared off the line!

South Africa somehow keep it at 0-0! Eustáquio's corner is once again on the money, as he picks out the head of Bombito, who powers the ball goalwards. However, Modiba is waiting on the goalline to make a stunning block. Canada can't believe they haven't scored.

40'

Five minutes until the break

South Africa are growing into this one as we head towards halftime.

39'

Bombito to the rescue

Appollis drives into the Canada box with intent, but just as he prepares to shoot, Bombito slides in superbly to make a crucial block and avert the danger.

36'

Oluwaseyi has a go

The Canada forward decides to shoot from a tight angle on the left side of the penalty area, but Williams is able to make a simple catch.

34'

One-sided xG values

xGoals

South Africa have seen a lot of the ball, but have done very little with it in the final third.

xGoals

0.05

0.49

Goals

31'

Boos from the crowd

Some fans are growing frustrated with the South African defenders passing the ball around the back and are expressing their displeasure.

Back underway

The game has resumed after the break, and it's South Africa who are straight out of the blocks.

25'

Hydration break

Play is paused for the first of two hydration breaks. It's fair to say Canada have looked the more likely to score so far.

Free header!

Eustáquio is causing problems again for South Africa after floating a precision free-kick into the penalty area. Cornelius has a free header and looks set to score the opener - but he somehow misses the ball!

20'

South Africa comfortable on the ball

Over the past 10 minutes or so, it's South Africa who have dominated possession, with Canada instead content to spring fast counters.

Passes

131

17'

Wide from David

Eustáquio whips in a lovely driven corner, which finds an unmarked David central in the penalty area. Unfortunately for the co-hosts, the Juventus forward's first-time shot flashes well wide of Williams's goal.

14'

Big challenge from Mbokazi

South Africa look to be in some trouble as Millar races away down the left channel for Canada. However, Mbokazi scrambles across in the nick of time to make an important block. All of Canada's attacks have been concentrated down the left so far.

Canada building pressure

They move the ball quickly in South Africa's half and find a route into their penalty area. Maseko is there to sweep up for Bafana Bafana and put the ball out for a corner.

First shot of the game

South Africa advance with Makgopa on the right. However, he has little support in the final third and so attempts a long-range shot, which is easily saved.

Quiet start

Canada are enjoying more possession, but South Africa look well organised, as they're keeping the ball away from their own goal and relying on swift counterattacks.

We're underway!

The ball is rolling at Los Angeles Stadium. Canada are in their all-black kit, while South Africa are in their familiar yellow and green.

Kick-off!

National anthem time

The anthems are being belted out. Kick-off is just moments away in LA.

History in the making

Nine of the 10 African teams at this summer's World Cup have advanced to the Round of 32, including South Africa. This is the most representation the continent has ever had in the knockout rounds of the World Cup, as in 2022, only Morocco and Senegal advanced from their respective groups.

Canada still without Davies

Davies is yet to make an appearance off the bench at the World Cup. He is among the substitutes again today, as he continues his recovery from a troublesome muscle injury. In fact, the Bayern man hasn't played for Canada since last year's CONCACAF Nations League third-place play-off against the US, which also happened to be at Los Angeles Stadium.

Canada team news

Head coach Marsch has opted to shake things up against South Africa with four changes to his starting XI. Bombito, Eustaquio, Millar and Oluwaseyi start in place of De Fougerolles, Ahmed, Choiniere and Larin, the latter of whom scored in Canada's first two group games. Davies has once again been named among the substitutes.

South Africa team news

Bafana Bafana have made only one change from the side that beat South Korea last time out, as Mokoena, who had to serve a yellow ban, returns to the XI. As such, Mbatha drops to the bench.

Starting line-up: South Africa

South Africa subs

Chaine, Goss, Matuludi, Ndamane, Kabini, Sibisi, Makhanya, Cross, Mbatha, Adams, Moremi, Foster, Rayners, Sebelebele.

Starting line-up: Canada

Canada subs

St. Clair, Goodman, Jones, De Fougerolles, Waterman, Davies, Choinière, Shaffelburg, Ahmed, Osorio, Sigur, Larin, David, Nelson.

Who could the winner face next?

The victor of this round of 32 tie is set to face either Morocco or the Netherlands in the last 16. That game will take place on Saturday, July 4, at Houston Stadium.

Marsch: Davies is ready to perform

"Now that we have Alphonso [Davies] back and healthy and ready to perform, I think it's a big moment for the team and a big boost for the team. I think in general, all the players that came into camp with little injuries are now really close to 100% and ready to perform at the highest level and be at our best in these matches."

Davies eager to make his return

"Obviously, it was painful [missing Canada's World Cup group games]. The only thing you want to do is play football. That's what I'm really passionate about. The first game, watching it, I was eager to be on the pitch. Second game, even more so."

0:58

Watch: The best of Alphonso Davies in the Bundesliga

The Bayern Munich and Canada superstar could make his first World Cup appearance against South Africa tonight, having been an unused substitute so far in the tournament.

Head-to-head record

This is just the second ever meeting between South Africa and Canada. Bafana Bafana won the previous encounter 2-0 in a 2007 friendly in Durban. Concerningly for Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, they have also lost both of their competitive meetings against African nations. Canada suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cameroon in the 2001 Confederations Cup before losing 2-1 to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The venue

Los Angeles Stadium is the newest venue at the 2026 World Cup, having opened in 2020. The 70,000-capacity arena will host eight matches during the tournament, including two Round of 32 ties and a quarter-final. It is also the home stadium of the LA Rams and the LA Chargers.

How they got here: Canada

After an opening 1-1 draw with Bosnia in Toronto, the co-hosts got their first-ever World Cup win by thrashing Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver. However, their return to British Columbia for the final game of Group B brought a 2-1 loss to Switzerland. It was still enough to send the Canucks into the World Cup knockouts for the first time ever, but they miss out on the chance to play on home soil again. Alphonso Davies is yet to play.

How they got here: South Africa

Bafana Bafana are into the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time thanks to a 1-0 win over South Korea in the final game of Group A that saw them leapfrog their opponents into second place on four points. Hugo Broos' side had lost the tournament's opening game to Mexico (2-0) but drew 1-1 with Czechia.

Welcome!

Follow all of the action as South Africa take on Canada in the round of 32, kicking off at 9pm CEST in Los Angeles.