Bafana Bafana’s fairytale run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end as they narrowly lost 1-0 to Canada in the Last 32 round clash at the LA Stadium on Sunday thanks to a Stephen Eustaquio goal.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos coach made just one change from the side that defeated South Korea in the final match of the group stages, starting Teboho Mokoena who was suspended for that game ahead of Thalente Mbatha in midfield.
Canada controlled proceedings in the first half with possession and better goal scoring chances, however just couldn’t break the South African defense. South Africa had one clear cut chance in the early stages a not threatening long rage shot from Mokoena which was an easy save for the Canadian goalkeeper.
Ronwen Williams was called to make a save in the 21st minute after the opposition won a set-piece. Eustaquio whipped the ball to Derek Cornelius’ head but Williams stood firm to deny them the opener. Five minutes after the half hour mark Bafana lost possession Nathan Saliba crossed to Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi who was also denied by the Bafana captain.
The closing minutes of the first half were nervy for Bafana with Canada winning another free-kick Eustaquio swung it into the box to Oluwaseyi but he headed off target. There was a corner for the co-hosts two minutes to the break Eustaquio took responsibility once more, this time Williams denied Moise Bombito, but Cornelius pounced on the rebound which Aubrey Modiba did well to block leaving the game deadlocked at halftime.
Broos made one change at the start of the second half bringing on Mbatha for Relebohile Mofokeng while Canada returned unchanged. It took 10 minutes for any real chances in the stanza and it was Bafana this time after Mbekezeli Mbokazi found Modiba whose final effort wasn’t threatening to the keeper.
Oswin Appollis could have broken the deadlock in the 62nd minute with his long range shot but slightly missed the target. Two minutes later Canada was on attack, Saliba set-up Oluwaseyi who one on one Williams lost the contest with Mbokazi also making sure to make a final clearance to not give Canada a chance to even get a rebound.
Mbatha got his chance 15 minutes to time but sent the ball over the bar and a minute later Promise David missed the target from range. Jonathan David with a golden chance to chance was denied by Williams in the dying minutes.
It was Canada who prevailed from the boot of their captain Eustaquio in injury-time after Bafana didn’t clear the ball properly to send the co-hosts into the next round.