By Dwayne Ferreira.
South Africa make history as Maseko’s 63rd-minute goal beats South Korea 1-0 and sends Bafana Bafana into their first World Cup knockout stage.
South Africa reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time after Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute goal secured a historic 1-0 victory over South Korea in their decisive Group A finale in Monterrey.
Bafana Bafana entered the contest with one point after losing 2-0 to Mexico and drawing 1-1 with Czechia. With Mexico expected to defeat the Czechs in the simultaneous fixture, Hugo Broos’s side needed a victory to overtake South Korea and claim the group’s second automatic qualification place.
The challenge was complicated by the suspensions of influential midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane. Broos reshaped his midfield and handed 21-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng his first World Cup start, while South Korea surprisingly began with captain Son Heung-min on the bench.
South Korea controlled more of the ball during a cautious opening half, with Hwang In-beom and Lee Kang-in attempting to dictate play. South Africa remained compact, protected the central spaces and looked to release Maseko and Oswin Appollis whenever possession changed hands.
Clear chances were limited because South Africa refused to become stretched. Evidence Makgopa worked against Korea’s centre-backs, while captain Ronwen Williams organised a defence that prevented the Taegeuk Warriors from turning their territorial advantage into sustained pressure inside the penalty area.
The match changed after Broos introduced Tshepang Moremi. In the 63rd minute, the substitute found space on the flank and delivered a precise cross into Maseko’s path. The winger met it decisively and drove a low finish into the bottom corner, producing the goal South Africa’s campaign required.
South Korea responded by introducing Son and committing more players forward. Their urgency increased as news filtered through that Mexico were leading Czechia, a combination of results that would send South Africa through automatically and leave Korea waiting on the third-place rankings.
The closing stages demanded concentration from Bafana Bafana. South Korea pressed for an equaliser and sent deliveries into the penalty area, but Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon and Khuliso Mudau protected Williams and dealt with the late pressure. South Africa also remained dangerous enough on the counterattack to prevent Korea from attacking without caution.
Maseko supplied the defining moment, but the victory was built on collective discipline from a team missing two senior midfielders. Moremi’s immediate creative influence changed the contest, while Williams and his defence completed a clean sheet against a side that had scored twice in its opening victory over Czechia.
The final whistle confirmed South Africa’s first progression beyond the World Cup group stage after previous exits in 1998, 2002 and 2010. They finished second behind perfect Group A winners Mexico and will face Canada in the round of 32 at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28.
South Korea finished third with three points and a negative-one goal difference. Their tournament may continue if they rank among the eight strongest third-placed teams, but the defeat removed the certainty they would have gained from avoiding defeat in Monterrey.
MATCH SUMMARY
South Africa – 1
Thapelo Maseko 63’
South Korea – 0
Result: South Africa won 1-0
Player of the Match: Thapelo Maseko, editorial selection
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A
Venue: Monterrey Stadium, Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico
Date: June 24, 2026
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