South Africa made history on Wednesday by securing a place in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time after edging South Korea 1-0 in a decisive Group A clash.
The Bafana Bafana completed a remarkable turnaround following their disappointing 2-0 opening loss to Mexico. After earning a crucial draw against the Czech Republic, Hugo Broos’ side sealed second place in the group thanks to Thapelo Maseko’s second-half winner in Monterrey.
An emotional Broos praised his players after the match, describing the achievement as historic. The Belgian coach said the final minutes were tense after South Africa took the lead but expressed pride in the progress the team has made during his five-year tenure.
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo raised eyebrows by leaving captain and star forward Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup. The Asians began brightly, with Kim Min-jae seeing a header cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba, while Lee Kang-in narrowly missed the target.
South Africa gradually settled into the contest and created several opportunities but struggled to convert them. Evidence Makgopa missed a golden chance in the first half after latching onto a rebound from Kim Seung-gyu.
Son was introduced at the start of the second half as part of a triple substitution aimed at reviving South Korea’s fortunes. However, it was South Africa who eventually broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute when Tshepang Moremi delivered a cross that Maseko calmly finished at the near post.
The Koreans pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but South Africa held firm to secure a famous victory.
The result sends South Africa into the Round of 16, where they will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28. Meanwhile, Mexico finished top of Group A with a perfect nine points after winning all three of their matches