South Africa stun South Korea to succeed in World Cup knockouts for the primary time | World Cup 2026

Bafana Bafana, enjoying within the match for the primary time since they hosted it in 2010, have reached the spherical of 32.

South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to succeed in the World Cup knockout rounds for the primary time of their historical past, an astonishing turnaround after a dismal opening defeat.

Bafana Bafana, enjoying on the match for the primary time since South Africa hosted it in 2010, have been broadly written off after their 2-0 loss to Group A winners Mexico.

However they battled to a draw towards the Czech Republic and got here out on high of what was successfully a shootout with South Korea for second place in Monterrey, due to Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike.

South Korea coach Myung-Bo Hong made a shock name by leaving captain Son Heungmin – thought-about by many to be Asia’s greatest-ever participant – out of the beginning lineup.

The Asian workforce began strongly, with stand-in captain Kim Minjae’s highly effective header blocked on the aim line by Aubrey Modiba, earlier than Lee Kangin flashed broad.

South Africa rapidly settled, enjoying with starvation and journey, however their ending was wasteful.

They appeared sure to take the lead within the thirtieth minute when the ball fell to Proof Makgopa after South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu parried Thalente Mbatha’s shot.

However Makgopa may solely tamely poke the ball straight on the goalkeeper from shut vary.

Son got here on at the beginning of the second half, certainly one of three adjustments made by coach Hong as he sought to vary the script.

Early within the second interval, Maseko squandered one other good place, whereas South Korea ahead Oh Hyeongyu examined goalkeeper Ronwen Williams on the different finish.

As information filtered by means of from Mexico Metropolis that the host nation have been main towards the Czech Republic, there was an added sense of urgency.

South Africa seized their second, with Tshepang Moremi crossing to Maseko, who this time saved his cool, firing dwelling contained in the close to publish within the 63rd minute.

South Korea pushed arduous within the closing phases however ran out of time, that means South Africa will face cohosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28 .

Mexico topped the group with 9 factors after successful all three of their matches.