Andrea Pirlo did it against Germany in 2006. Nobody had done it since. Until Stephen Eustaquio did it on Sunday night in Los Angeles.Canada’s captain became just the second player since records began to create five chances from set pieces in a single World Cup knockout match, joining the legendary Italian in a club of two. But Eustaquio did not stop there. With his country’s heartbeat flatlining in stoppage time, he also scored the only goal of the game to send Canada into the Round of 16 for the very first time.His 92nd-minute strike was as dramatic as it was deserved. Jacob Shaffelburg sent a cross into the penalty area, a South African defender headed it clear, and the ball dropped directly to Eustaquio on the edge of the box. He chested it down and drilled a right-footed effort past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and into the back of the net.Before that moment of individual brilliance, Eustaquio had been the engine driving Canada’s set-piece threat all evening. His 17th-minute corner nearly produced an opener when Jonathan David volleyed wide, and his free kick in the 22nd minute sent Derek Cornelius heading straight at Williams. Chance after chance, delivery after delivery – five in total from dead-ball situations, a number only Pirlo had managed in a knockout match at this tournament.Eustaquio, 29, captained Canada from the start after returning from a muscle injury that had kept him out of the group-stage match against Switzerland. Born in Leamington, Ontario, to Portuguese parents, he grew up between Canada and Portugal, where he built a club career that included multiple titles with FC Porto before moving to LAFC.Canada ended the game with 1.32 expected goals across 12 shots. South Africa had just 0.13 and nine total touches in Canada’s box despite having 58% possession. The stats told the full story as Canada were the better team, Eustaquio was the best player, and in the end, justice was served in the most Canadian way possible.Canada now advances to face the winner of Netherlands vs. Morocco on July 4 in Houston. They will be underdogs. After Sunday night, nobody should count them out.
