Day 18 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered its first knockout fixture, marking a momentous occasion for co-hosts Canada.

Here’s a full recap of Sunday’s thrilling events.

Before this year’s tournament, Canada had endured a difficult World Cup history, losing all six of their previous matches. Under the guidance of Jesse March, the team entered the competition as one of the co-host nations with hopes of rewriting that record.

After finally breaking their World Cup winless streak with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Qatar, Canada booked their place in the knockout stage. On Sunday, they faced South Africa in a tightly contested encounter, with both nations making their debut appearances in the tournament’s knockout rounds. The match remained deadlocked until the dying moments, when late drama unfolded.

Canadian captain Stephen Eustaquio emerged as the hero, scoring a 92nd-minute winner to seal Canada’s passage to the Round of 16. The on-loan Los Angeles FC midfielder struck a precise low shot from the edge of the box in Los Angeles, igniting celebrations among home supporters.

Another highlight for the Canadian side was the return of star player Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich winger made his first appearance of the tournament, coming off the bench and now looking set to feature prominently in the Round of 16 clash.

Canada’s next match is scheduled for Saturday, 4 July, in Houston, where they will meet either the Netherlands or Morocco in what promises to be another high-stakes encounter.