South Africa Shocks Korea 1‑0 to Make Knockout Stage
Photo: REUTERS
South Africa made history in Monterrey by defeating Korea Republic 1-0, securing their first-ever appearance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stages.
Winger Thapelo Maseko provided the heroics, scoring the match-winner in the 63rd minute of a high-stakes encounter.
The Bafana Bafana started aggressively despite facing a largely Korean crowd. Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu kept his side level in the first half, parrying a distance shot from Thalente Mbatha and stopping Evidence Makgopa from point-blank range.
Lee Gi-hyuk also made a vital defensive intervention to stop an early Maseko break.
Looking for a breakthrough, Korea Republic manager Hong Myung-bo introduced star Son Heung-min after the interval.
However, South African substitute Tshepang Moremi delivered the game-changing moment against the run of play. Moremi outmaneuvered a defender on the left wing and fired a pass across the penalty area for Maseko, who clinically finished at the near post.
As Group A runners-up, South Africa will now head to Los Angeles. They face Group B runners-up Canada on 28 June in the Round of 32.
While the Korea Republic displayed immense energy, they could not find an equalizer following Maseko’s second-half strike.
