South Africa Beat South Korea to Reach Knockouts for First Time
June 26, 2026 · Beatriz Ramos
South Africa secured a historic victory over South Korea, reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time with a 1-0 win, thanks to Thapelo Maseko's goal.
Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike made history for South Africa as they reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time following a victory over South Korea in Monterrey. Three points moved South Africa up to second in the table, behind Mexico, and left South Korea having to cling on to hopes of getting out of the group by being one of the best third-placed sides. They will face Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday in the last 32, at 20:00 BST.
The match was largely uneventful, with South Africa adopting a defensive stance and looking to counter-attack, while South Korea struggled to find quality in the final third. Maseko found the net unexpectedly, taking a touch before slotting the ball through Jens Castrop's legs and into the near post. The most jubilant moments in the stadium came from the Mexican fans celebrating their goals against the Czech Republic as South Korea dominated possession without posing a significant threat.
Despite their ball control, South Korea only managed a few chances, including a tame header from Oh Hyeon-gyu and an early strike from Lee Kang-in. This victory is particularly significant for South Africa, who had not qualified for a World Cup since hosting it in 2010 and had finished third in every other group stage. With coach Hugo Broos announcing his retirement after the tournament, he will now extend his time in charge following this success.
While South Africa's performance was not without flaws, they displayed spirit and organization, crucially knowing they had to win. In contrast, South Korea's earlier free-flowing football had disappeared, and even the introduction of former Tottenham star Son Heung-min failed to spark a comeback, as he touched the ball just once in South Africa's penalty area. South Korea, needing only a point, found themselves outmatched by a well-drilled South African side, who showed determination and resilience to secure this landmark victory.
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