World Cup 2026: Canadian fans erupt in joy over their team's historic achievement

The hero of Canada in this match was midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, who fired a decisive shot in the 90+2nd minute after South Africa's defense failed to clear the ball decisively, securing a minimal but extremely valuable victory.

Immediately after the final whistle, FanZone areas in major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa lit up in red and white. Fans embraced each other, waved flags, and chanted "Let's Go Canada" in unison to celebrate the historic win.

Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent, former Canadian international Kyle Bekker noted that the team is maturing noticeably with each match. According to Bekker, although still a young squad, Canada has shown resilience, confidence, and is generating a positive impact on fans across the country. The 2026 World Cup has also become a unifying point for Canada's multicultural community, as everyone rallies behind the national team.

However, Bekker believes that to sustain the momentum after the 2026 World Cup, Canada must continue to invest heavily in infrastructure, stadiums, youth development systems, and coaching staff. Once the foundation is strengthened, Canadian soccer will have more opportunities to compete with world powers.

In the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Canada will face either the Netherlands or Morocco, hoping to continue achieving the most successful World Cup in the nation's soccer history.