Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9 broke his leg 10 days ago when Canada<\/a> historically routed<\/a> Qatar in front of a raucous Vancouver home crowd. But you wouldn\u2019t have known it on Sunday in Los Angeles after the team\u2019s dramatic 1\u20130 win<\/a> over South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> Round of 32.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> product, who underwent surgery in Vancouver and is out for the remainder of the tournament, danced with his teammates, sunglasses on, after one of the biggest results in Canada\u2019s sporting history \u2013 a first knockout victory at the men\u2019s World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing in the changing room right now. Obviously, with the excitement that we’re still playing, and the relief that we managed to get over the line,\u201d said defender Alistair Johnston after the match.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a difficult match, and we knew it was going to be\u2026 but we just won a knockout round match at a World Cup. We’re still dancing, and I’m just so excited.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) June 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n They were dancing because\u00a0LAFC<\/a> midfielder Stephen Eust\u00e1quio<\/a> fired a half-volley from distance, perfectly catching the ball with his right foot and beating Ronwen Williams between the sticks in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.\u00a0<\/p>\n It was an instant relief. The thousands of Canadians who had flown and driven to Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament exhaled, as did millions packing watch parties<\/a> from Eust\u00e1quio\u2019s Leamington, Ontario, to Jacob Shaffelburg<\/a>\u2019s Port Williams, Nova Scotia and beyond.\u00a0<\/p>\n Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who attended the two Group B matches in Vancouver, dropped to his knees on the Ottawa airport runway while watching the game on his phone. His plane landed in the 85th minute, and he stepped off just moments before the winning goal.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n This was a moment for Canadian soccer. Now, Les Rouges will get a chance to take on a global powerhouse in either the Netherlands or Morocco on July 4 in Houston in the Round of 16 \u2013 an incredible achievement for a team ranked No. 122 in the world 12 years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis national team has come a very long way, from when I started, even before that, it was in a place where guys were coming in and trying to fight to get respect from other nations,\u201d Toronto FC<\/a> defender Richie Laryea<\/a> said post-match, having made his international debut in 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cTo see where we’re at now, and to win a game like this in a World Cup, and to be moving on, it’s special… It\u2019s a moment I don’t think Canadians will ever forget.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Canada is the first nation to advance to the Round of 16! \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 pic.twitter.com\/c8qToTr6q6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n When Canada embarked on this World Cup journey with a training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina in the spring, head coach Jesse Marsch stated the mission: he wanted this team to create memorable moments, regardless of how it unfolded.<\/p>\n From Eust\u00e1quio’s winner to Jonathan David\u2019s historic hat trick against Qatar, or rallying around Kon\u00e9\u2019s injury, the team has endeared itself to the Canadian public in a way few outside of the sport of hockey have done previously.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest thing for me is that in 20 years, you’re going to look back and you’re not going to remember how each individual played,\u201d Johnston added. \u201cAll you’re going to care about is that you advanced, and that was all about today… I’m so proud of the resilience that the guys showed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n After any result, Marsch brings his team together on the pitch. On Sunday, the group struck an emotional tone about their achievements, which will reach far into the future beyond this summer\u2019s tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cThink about the two years we’ve been together. Think about how we talked about sticking to the plan, sticking to who we want to be, playing aggressively, assessing the quality, you guys showing your character,\u201d Marsch exclaimed to his players.<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys are Canadian heroes for the future children of this country who play this sport. This sport has a big future because of you guys. You should be so proud of who you are. You should be so proud of this game.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Canada manager Jesse Marsch gives a post-victory speech to his players after clinching the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 pic.twitter.com\/CPGgsH4Ua6<\/a><\/p>\nA nation rejoices<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Memorable moments<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Canadian heroes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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