local
Canada grabs a late winner to eliminate South Africa in opening game of the World Cup’s Round of 32
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 28, 2026
· 5 min read
By Kyle Feldscher, CNN
(CNN) — A late second-half goal from Stephen Eustáquio allowed Canada to inch past South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup’s Round of 32, sending Les Rouges through to the next round.
It’s the first knockout round victory in Canadian history as they became the...
Key takeaway The match marked a bit of history – the first Round of 32 game in World Cup history as the tournament expanded to 48 teams for the first time this year.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso soccer fans who gathered to watch the World Cup's Round of 32 opening game were treated to a thrilling match between Canada and South Africa. The late winner by Canada's Stephen Eustáquio will have local fans of the sport talking, particularly those who follow the Canadian team. In a city with a strong affinity for soccer, this historic win for Canada will likely resonate with El Pasoans who appreciate the beautiful game. The fact that Canada became the first World Cup co-host to play an elimination game on foreign soil adds a layer of intrigue to the story, and local soccer enthusiasts will be eager to see how the tournament unfolds. As the World Cup continues, El Paso residents can expect to see more gatherings and watch parties throughout the city, with fans cheering on their favorite teams and players.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Kyle Feldscher, CNN
(CNN) — A late second-half goal from Stephen Eustáquio allowed Canada to inch past South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup’s Round of 32, sending Les Rouges through to the next round.
It’s the first knockout round victory in Canadian history as they became the...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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