Les Rouges break 40-year curse in FIFA World Cup knockouts with Bafana win

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

Canada made CONCACAF history by becoming the region’s first nation in 40 years to win a FIFA World Cup knockout stage match in normal time against non-regional opposition.

The Canadian men’s national soccer team etched their names into the history books on Sunday with a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Africa at SoFi Stadium.

Stephen Eustáquio’s stunning stoppage-time volley didn’t just book Canada a spot in the Round of 16; it shattered a monumental four-decade regional drought for North American soccer on the global stage.

With the regulation-time triumph, Canada officially became the first CONCACAF nation to win a World Cup knockout match in normal time against non-CONCACAF opponents since 1986.

The historic feat ended a 40-year curse stretching back to Mexico’s iconic 2-0 second-round victory over Bulgaria. Jesse Marsch’s resilient squad now advances to face either the Netherlands or Morocco.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

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