South Africa 1–0 South Korea | Group A | Estadio Monterrey, Mexico | 24 June 2026
History was made in Monterrey on Wednesday night as South Africa advanced to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 victory over South Korea.
Bafana Bafana, playing at the tournament for the first time since South Africa hosted it in 2010, were widely written off after their 2-0 loss to Group A winners Mexico. A hard-fought draw against the Czech Republic kept their hopes alive heading into Wednesday’s winner-takes-all clash, and Hugo Broos’s side delivered when it mattered most.
The match was tense and disciplined. South Korea registered 68.4% of possession yet could only manage an xG of 1.0 compared to the 1.1 produced by their South African counterparts. South Africa soaked up pressure patiently before delivering the decisive blow on 63 minutes.
Thapelo Maseko received the ball from a cross on the right side of the box, cut inside, and struck low with his left foot through a defender’s legs and into the net. The Mamelodi Sundowns forward had spurned two clear chances earlier but held his nerve when it mattered most.
South Korea boss Myung-Bo Hong had made the bold call to bench captain Heung-Min Son for the first time in 13 World Cup games. Son was introduced at half-time but could not conjure an equaliser as South Africa’s defence stood firm throughout.
The win sees South Africa finish second in Group A and set up a round of 32 meeting with Canada. Broos was defiant afterwards. “The mentality in this group is amazing. Everybody is working for everybody. We are not afraid of other teams.” For Maseko, the moment carried deep personal meaning. When asked what he would tell his younger self, the 22-year-old said simply: “Keep dreaming.”
