The ball popped out to Stephen Eustáquio just outside the penalty area. Chest control. One bounce. And then a strike so clean that he started celebrating before it even hit the net.

Canada beat South Africa 1-0 on Sunday for their first ever knockout match victory at a World Cup. The goal came in the 92nd minute. The kind of goal that gets replayed forever. canada

This team has been building to this moment for years. Jonathan David's hat trick against Qatar in the group stage. Canada's 22 on target attempts in group play, tied with France and Germany for the most in the tournament. These are not numbers that belong to a team just happy to be here. Global News

Coach Jesse Marsch gathered his players in a huddle after the final whistle and gave a spirited speech: "You guys are Canadian heroes. Canadian heroes." canada

He was not wrong.

Alphonso Davies, who missed all three group stage matches with a hamstring injury, came on in the 75th minute and immediately changed the energy of the game. The crowd in Los Angeles felt it. Every Canadian watching at home felt it. canada

This is Canada's third ever World Cup appearance. The first was 1986. Forty years ago. A generation of Canadian kids grew up without ever seeing their men's team on this stage. Today those kids, now adults, watched Stephen Eustáquio volley Canada into the Round of 16 in stoppage time.

Next up is the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday July 4th.

Let yourself feel this one.

Until next time,

Dean

P.S. Where were you when Eustáquio scored? Hit reply and tell me.