Eustáquio's stoppage-time winner sends Canada into the last 16

The knockout rounds opened on Sunday with a single game, and Canada made the most of having the stage to themselves. For 91 minutes South Africa held the co-hosts at arm’s length. Then Stephen Eustáquio chested down a half-cleared cross and battered it home in stoppage time, and Canada were into the last 16 for the first time in their history.

It was the second minute of added time, the score still 0-0, when the ball dropped to Eustáquio at the edge of the box and he did not think twice. Canada won 1-0 and became the first team to book a Round of 16 place. For a side co-hosting the thing, finally getting out of the group and then winning a knockout tie is uncharted territory, and they did it the hard way.

Davies takes the field at last

The bigger story for the home crowd may have been the man who came off the bench. Alphonso Davies, Canada’s captain and best player, had watched the entire group stage from the sideline with a hamstring problem. He came on in the 75th minute for his tournament debut, looked understandably rusty on the left, and still managed to lift the place. Canada found the winner 17 minutes after he arrived. Make of that what you will.

South Africa’s fairytale ends one game in

Spare a thought for South Africa, who reached the knockout stage for the first time only days ago and were sent home at the first hurdle. They were not outplayed so much as out-finished. Bafana Bafana had 58 percent of the ball and almost nothing to show for it, around 0.13 expected goals and a grand total of nine touches in the Canadian box. Possession is lovely until someone asks what you did with it.

Round of 32: Canada 1-0 South Africa, Eustáquio 90+2'. Canada are the first side into the last 16.

Canada now wait on the winner of Netherlands against Morocco to learn their next opponent. See how the bracket is filling in on the live table.

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