Who is Stephen Eustaquio? Meet Canada's hero goal-scorer in World Cup Round of 32 win over South Africa

· Yahoo Sports

Who is Stephen Eustaquio? Meet Canada's hero goal-scorer in World Cup Round of 32 win over South Africa originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Canadian manager Jesse Marsch said it best to his players after they clinched the country's first-ever trip to the World Cup Round of 16, telling them, "You are Canadian heroes."

Visit somethingsdifferent.biz for more information.

There was no greater hero on Sunday than Stephen Eustaquio, who drilled the game-winning goal in stoppage time to sink South Africa in the Round of 32.

Canada is moving on to play Saturday, with a monumental challenge against either the Netherlands or Morocco on tap. The job isn't yet finished in Canada's eyes, but Eustaquio's goal ensured this team has a special place in Canadian history.

Here's what you need to know about Eustaquio and his memorable goal for Canada.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | World Cup draw results | Buy World Cup tickets

Stephen Eustaquio goal vs. South Africa

South Africa rebuffed Canada's attempt to get to the goal in stoppage time, but a header pass back out went right to Eustaquio, who reacted quickly and scored Canada's lone goal of the day.

The goal left South Africa with little time to respond. While Austria proved Saturday night that a couple of minutes is enough time to make something happen, Canada turned away all opportunities in those closing minutes and sealed its first-ever trip to the Round of 16.

After the win, a calm Estaquio said he felt Canada "deserved" the goal after generating opportunities throughout the match.

"I had a good touch, and I say every time to these guys, 'We have to give everything we have when we shoot, like our life depends on it,'" Estaquio said. "I felt that everybody shot that ball with me."

Canada's path gets much tougher in the Round of 16, whether their opponent is the Netherlands or Morocco, but the Canadians aren't lacking belief.

MORE:Ranking every team in World Cup knockout stage

Who is Stephen Eustaquio?

Eustaquio is a 29-year-old midfielder for Canada who plays club soccer in the MLS for Los Angeles FC. He is on loan from FC Porto, with which he made 95 appearances and scored four goals.

Eustaquio spent much of his youth playing in Portugal, where both of his parents were born. After spending time with Portugal's U21 team, he joined the Canadian national team in 2019.

Sunday's goal was Eustaquio's first international goal in nearly three years, as he last scored against Jamaica in late 2023 before finding the back of the net for his fifth — and most important — goal in his time with Team Canada.

The goal was meaningful for a number of reasons, but it had to be particularly meaningful for Eustaquio, who lost his mother to cancer in 2023 and his father to a heart attack a year later. The Ontario-born midfielder now has a special place in Canadian soccer history.

MORE:Ranking the toughest World Cup knockout draws

Who does Stephen Eustaquio play club soccer for?

Estaquio plays for Los Angeles FC in the MLS, on loan from FC Porto.

The 29-year-old has four goals in 95 appearances with FC Porto in Portugal, where he has family heritage, and he has one goal in 10 appearances with LA FC. 

Before FC Porto, Estaquio played for Pacos Ferreira, Cruz Azul, Chaves, Leixoes, Torreense and Nazarenos. 

Read full story at source