During Canada's Round of 32 match against South Africa at the FIFA World Cup on Sunday, a Canadian fan's phone went flying while she participated in the wave, creating a viral moment that many viewers found more exciting than the game itself.
How the mishap happened
Early in the second half at Los Angeles Stadium, a woman seated next to a glass railing raised her arms as the wave came around, sending her phone flying out of her hands. She tried to catch it as it fell over the railing to the section below, then covered her mouth in shock. The moment was captured on video and shared by TSN on Twitter.
Reaction on social media
The clip quickly went viral, with many users commenting that it was the most exciting moment of the match up to that point. One Reddit user said, "I am more invested in this lady getting her phone back than I am in the game." Another added, "This is the highlight of this match. Water break was cool, too."
The game's context
The incident occurred just minutes into the second half, during a period when South Africa appeared content to push the match toward extra time and penalty kicks. They repeatedly passed the ball among defenders and back to goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, drawing heavy boos from the crowd.
Canada's dramatic win
Canada redeemed the lack of early thrills with a late victory. Midfielder Stephen Eustaquio scored in second-half injury time, hitting a shot past defenders into the bottom corner of the net. After the match, Eustaquio posted an emotional photo on Instagram with the caption "For the country." Canadian fans celebrated in the stadium concourse, jumping, singing, and tossing some fans in the air. In the locker room, several players danced, including Ismael Kone, who had suffered a broken leg and underwent surgery the previous week.
What's next for Canada
Canada will face the winner of the Morocco vs. Netherlands match on Saturday, July 4 in Houston, Texas.
