South Africa has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in its history, following a 1-0 victory against South Korea. The decisive goal came from Thapelo Maseko in the second half, sparking celebrations both on the field and among fans in Johannesburg.
The win means South Africa will progress to the last 32 of the tournament, having secured four points in Group A. They finished behind group winners Mexico, who defeated Czechia 3-0. South Korea, with three points, still has a chance to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
A Historic Achievement
The match saw Thapelo Maseko fire a low finish into the bottom right-hand corner in the 63rd minute, after receiving a precise pass from Tshepang Moremi. This goal sealed the historic qualification for South Africa, who had previously failed to advance from the group stage in their three prior World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002, and 2010.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos described the experience as “fantastic” and highlighted the team’s tactical performance. He noted that it was a “tough” game but his side made it difficult for South Korea to find space. Following the goal, the final 20 minutes were described as “heart-stopping moments” for the team.
Fans in Johannesburg celebrated the achievement, with many watching the match, which kicked off at 3 am local time. The streets were filled with supporters celebrating in their pyjamas and winter clothing as the sun rose, some 10,000km away from the team’s celebrations in Guadalupe, Mexico. One fan, Lorenz Kohler, remarked that the entire country seemed to have stayed awake for the historic moment.
Kohler, who last saw South Africa play in the World Cup when they hosted the tournament in 2010, stated that this moment surpasses anything from that year. Another fan, Byron Pillay, mentioned that many had written off the team before the tournament, making the victory even sweeter. He credited Hugo Broos with making dreams a reality, akin to what Clive Barker did in the past.
Match Dynamics and Future Prospects
South Korea, despite enjoying most of the possession, struggled to create clear opportunities. Early in the match, Kim Min-jae’s header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba, and Lee Kang-in fired over the bar. South Korea’s captain, Son Heung-min, started the match on the bench but came on at half-time.
South Africa gradually grew into the contest, with Maseko nearly scoring in the 19th minute before a tackle from Lee Ki-hyuk. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu also made a double save, denying Thalente Mbatha and then Evidence Makgopa’s follow-up effort. After soaking up early pressure, South Africa found their breakthrough.
Hugo Broos, who took charge of the South African men’s football team in 2021, expressed pride in his team’s performance. He noted that the team believed in themselves and would continue to fight in their upcoming matches. The coach, who is 74 years old, indicated that the 2026 World Cup would likely mark the end of his nearly four-decade-long managerial career, making this achievement particularly emotional for him.
The South African government also congratulated the team, highlighting their determination, discipline, and fighting spirit. Diplomats and politicians joined fans worldwide in celebrating the victory. Sahil Ebrahim described the win as an upgraded déjà vu moment compared to 2010, noting that this performance was celebrated nationwide for its pure footballing merit.
Looking ahead, South Africa will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on 28 June.
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Source: theguardian.com
As NewsGB.org's Sports News Writer, Theo Marsden reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He began on a regional sports desk in Yorkshire. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Hull and completed an NCTJ diploma. Theo lives in Hull, where he follows the European Tour and amateur rugby. “Sport moves fast; readers deserve it right the first time.”