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Eustaquio's stoppage-time winner sends Canada to last 16 as he honours late parents

Stephen Eustaquio scored a stoppage-time winner against South Africa on 28 June to send Canada into the World Cup last 16, then broke down in tears paying tribute to his mother and father, both of whom died within the past two years.

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Eustaquio's stoppage-time winner sends Canada to last 16 as he honours late parents
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Stephen Eustaquio scored a stoppage-time winner against South Africa on 28 June to send Canada into the FIFA World Cup last 16, where they will face Morocco or the Netherlands on 4 July — then broke down in tears in his post-match interview as he paid tribute to his late parents.

The 29-year-old midfielder was visibly emotional when a reporter asked how he was feeling after “everything you’ve been through”. In 2023, his mother died following a battle with brain cancer; the following year, his father died from a heart attack.

“Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, for my girlfriend, for my daughter,” Eustaquio said. “For my friends back home. For everyone.”

The goal, which came deep into stoppage time, secured Canada’s progression from the group stage and set up a last-16 tie against one of the tournament’s stronger remaining sides. For Eustaquio, the moment carried a weight that went well beyond football.

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