Canada beats South Africa, Eustaquio’s tearful goal dedicated to parents lost in 2023 and 2024
Stephen Eustaquio scored a stoppage-time winner as Canada ousted South Africa in the World Cup round of 32, then broke down in a post-match interview remembering his mother, who died of brain cancer, and his father, who died of a heart attack.
Match in Inglewood
Canada edged South Africa 1‑0 at SoFi Stadium on 28 June, earning a last‑16 place after a largely uneventful 90 minutes. The only goal came deep into added time, when Stephen Eustaquio controlled a chested ball and fired from distance past the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper in the 92nd minute. The crowd of 69,237, which had been lulled into silence, erupted as the co‑host nation celebrated its first ever World Cup knockout win.
The result sends Canada into a last‑16 meeting with either Morocco or the Netherlands on 4 July in Houston. It also extended a tournament storyline that began when the side survived the group stage for the first time.
Eustaquio’s personal loss
The midfielder’s goal came after years of grief. His mother Esmeralda died in 2023 following a battle with brain cancer; Eustaquio learned the news during a club match for FC Porto and asked to be substituted. A year later his father Armando suffered a fatal heart attack. The back‑to‑back losses left the 29‑year‑old playing for two late parents.
- Mother Esmeralda dies of brain cancer during a Porto match.
- Father Armando dies of a heart attack.
- Scores stoppage-time winner for Canada against South Africa at the World Cup.
Television interview
Immediately after the final whistle, a reporter reminded Eustaquio of what he had been through. He covered his face, his eyes wet, and his voice broke as he spoke.
Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, for my girlfriend, for my daughter. For my friends back home. For everyone.
Eustaquio described the goal as one he felt the whole country taking with him. “When I shot, I had the feeling that everyone shot with me. They gave a little extra power to the ball and it went in,” he said.
Coach and team reaction
Head coach Jesse Marsch called Eustaquio the most mentally mature player in the squad and suggested the parents were present in some way.
No one deserved a moment like that more than Steph. I think his parents were watching from heaven today.
Marsch will fly to Monterrey to watch the Morocco‑Netherlands decider in person before the squad faces the winner in Houston. The Canadians believe their togetherness can carry them further, even though the draw now pits them against a football “giant.”
A path through two countries
Eustaquio was born in Ontario but grew up largely in Portugal, even playing for Portugal’s under‑21 side before switching allegiance to Canada in 2019. Now on loan from Porto to Los Angeles FC, he is a central figure in a team writing a new chapter for Canadian football.
