Canada midfielder Stephen Eustáquio says head coach Jesse Marsch “deserves” Canadian citizenship after scoring and winning in the World Cup round of 32 against South Africa, a result that capped Canada’s first-ever knockout victory.
When Canada’s players erupted at SoFi Stadium, it wasn’t just the goal that carried the night. It was the feeling that the country had crossed a line it had never managed to reach at the World Cup before.
On Sunday, June 28, Stephen Eustáquio scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to give Canada a 1-0 win over South Africa in the World Cup round of 32. The match had looked headed for extra time when Eustáquio chested down a clearance near the top of the box and struck a low drive into the far corner.
For Eustáquio, the win is historic on its own—Canada recorded its first ever World Cup knockout point and then its first-ever victory in the tournament. But a knockout round, he said, changes the scale of everything.
Asked after the game if head coach Jesse Marsch should earn Canadian citizenship, Eustáquio didn’t hedge. “I think he deserves it.” He added: “He was just telling us to continue pushing. Obviously. we’re heroes right now for the country. because this is the first time we’ve ever won a [World Cup] knockout [game].”.
That approval lands with extra weight because Marsch arrived in Canada with a complicated recent past. He took over as Canada’s head coach in 2024, his first job after he was sacked as Leeds manager. His move also came after he was nearly considered for the U.S. men’s national team role.
Marsch, a Wisconsin native, has spoken openly about how he felt “devastated” and “angry” after U.S. Soccer re-hired Gregg Berhalter over him in 2023. Those emotions. he has since channeled into results with Canada. including leading the team to the semifinal of the 2024 Copa América just six weeks after taking the job.
At this World Cup, Eustáquio’s stoppage-time strike didn’t just extend Canada’s run—it underlined how far Marsch has gone since stepping into the role. And even with the milestone wins, Marsch’s fit in Canada is increasingly visible to the people on the ground.
In his postgame press conference. Marsch said: “I am American. and I’m proud to be American. but I do think that the ideals and the characteristics of Canadian people fit me really well.” He continued. saying Canadians “value kindness” and “value generosity. ” and that it’s a country “that is very welcoming to outsiders.”.
He contrasted that with how Americans are sometimes portrayed. “Sometimes I know that Americans. we get a certain rap for being boisterous. for being arrogant. for being outwardly vocal. and I know that in many ways that does describe me. or at least people love to describe me that way. But again, I don’t give a (expletive).”.
The sequence of events is hard to miss: Marsch’s 2023 disappointment tied to U.S. Soccer’s decision. his landing in Canada in 2024. and then a rapid climb through major tournaments—now capped by a first-ever World Cup knockout win delivered in stoppage time by a player singing the coach’s message back at him.
With Canada set to keep going in its World Cup run after beating South Africa 1-0, Eustáquio’s view is unmistakable: Marsch’s legacy in this country may no longer be a temporary chapter. On Sunday night, it sounded like a citizenship pitch delivered in the same breath as a victory celebration.
Jesse Marsch Stephen Eustáquio Canada soccer World Cup South Africa SoFi Stadium Canadian citizenship Gregg Berhalter U.S. Soccer Copa America 2024
So Marsch is basically Canadian now? Love the drama.
He deserves citizenship because they won ONE game?? I mean congrats but that seems wild. Also aren’t coaches always telling them to push?
Wait I thought this was the South Africa match like… earlier? And he scored stoppage time so it’s automatically a “historic line crossed” or whatever. But citizenship??? If he leaves next season the citizenship paperwork gonna be like “oops”?
This is so messed up though because Marsch was sacked from Leeds right? And now he’s praised like a hero for Canada. I saw something about him being close to the US job too, so I’m just thinking it’s all political. Also Eustáquio’s quote reads like he’s trying to get citizenship for himself or something lol.