WORLD CUP – Despite their nightmare start to the 2026 World Cup, losing their opener in humiliating fashion, South Africa have dramatically rebounded to book their place in the round of 32 with a gritty, hard-fought victory over South Korea.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!South Africa have made history by progressing past the group stage at a World Cup for the very first time, courtesy of a tense 1-0 win over South Korea at Estadio Monterrey that sparked wild celebrations among their traveling fans.
Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides, with South Africa clinching second place in Group A with four points and condemning their opponents to a nervous wait in third.
South Korea had the better of the early chances, with Kim Min-jae seeing his header cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba in the second minute, before Lee Kang-in fired wide from a good position moments later.
Momentum then swung South Africa’s way as Maseko saw an effort blocked by Lee Gi-hyuk, while both Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa were denied in quick succession by Kim Seung-gyu.
After squandering an early chance in the second half, allowing Jens Castrop to make a last-ditch block, Maseko fired South Africa ahead, taking in a low cross from Tshepang Moremi before picking out the bottom-right corner.
South Korea struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities as Son Heung-min and Seol Young-woo failed to test Ronwen Williams with shots from outside the box, while Park Jin-seob saw his header saved, as Hugo Broos’ side held on for a historic win.
South Africa prove doubters wrong
After picking up two red cards in their 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the very first match of the tournament, South Africa were given little to no chance of progressing into the knockout rounds by many, but they did not let their heads drop.
South Africa secured a late draw against Czechia before producing a strong display against South Korea, led by a determined Maseko.
The forward led the match for shots (five) and touches in the box (six), while he was responsible for 0.32 of South Africa’s 1.1 expected goals.
Maseko’s goal was also the first time South Africa had taken a lead in a World Cup match since their 2-1 victory against France in June 2010.
Maseko leads South Africa in shots this tournament (eight), and though his goal is his only shot on target so far, it could prove to be one of the most important goals in his country’s history.
South Korea, meanwhile, were restricted to just eight shots (1.0 xG) as their hopes of a top-two finish were ended, but Hong Myung-bo’s side can still reach the knockout rounds.
They are currently the fourth-best team among third-placed teams, with three points and a goal difference of -1 to their name. Eight of the 12 third-placed teams will enter the round of 32.
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