SOUTH Africa secured a historic place in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike earned a hard-fought victory over South Korea in Monterrey, while co-hosts Mexico completed a perfect Group A campaign with a convincing win over the Czech Republic.
The results saw South Africa finish second in the group behind Mexico, earning a last-32 clash against Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday. South Korea, meanwhile, were left clinging to hopes of advancing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, while the Czech Republic exited the competition after finishing bottom of the group with just one point from three matches.
For South Africa, it was a night of history and celebration. Three points lifted Hugo Broos’ side into second place and ensured their first-ever progression beyond the group stage of a World Cup.
The encounter with South Korea was not a match packed with entertainment, as South Africa were content to sit deep and wait for opportunities to strike on the counterattack, while the Koreans struggled to produce quality in the final third.
The decisive moment arrived when Maseko produced an unexpected winner, controlling the ball inside the penalty area before shifting it onto his left foot and calmly firing through the legs of Jens Castrop and inside the near post.
Before the breakthrough, some of the loudest celebrations inside the stadium had come from green-clad Mexico supporters watching as neutrals, cheering goals being scored by their team against the Czech Republic in Mexico City.
Although South Korea dominated possession for long periods, it was South Africa who looked more dangerous on the break and created the better opportunities throughout the contest. Their victory was widely viewed as deserved.
South Korea rarely threatened, with only a tame header from Oh Hyeon-gyu and an early effort from Lee Kang-in standing out among their limited chances.
Prior to this tournament, South Africa had not qualified for a World Cup since hosting the competition in 2010 and had finished third in every previous group stage appearance.
Broos, who has already announced he will retire after the tournament, may have been considering life away from football, but his historic achievement means he will remain in the dugout a little longer.
While South Africa did not produce a display filled with quality, they showed energy, discipline and organisation, generating the only real moments of excitement in Monterrey.
In contrast, the free-flowing football South Korea displayed in their opening match against the Czech Republic appeared to have vanished. The Asian side looked subdued and lacking inspiration.
Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min was introduced at half-time, but he struggled to make an impact, recording just one touch inside South Africa’s penalty area.
South Korea entered the game needing only a point to guarantee qualification but failed to produce a performance worthy of progression, leaving their fate dependent on results elsewhere.
Despite occasional defensive lapses and missed opportunities going forward, South Africa displayed the determination of a team that knew victory was essential and delivered when it mattered most.
Earlier in Mexico City, co-hosts Mexico scored three second-half goals to eliminate the Czech Republic and finish the group phase with maximum points.
Mexico had already secured top spot in Group A after victories over South Africa and South Korea, allowing head coach Javier Aguirre the opportunity to rotate his squad.
One of the players brought into the starting line-up, left-back Mateo Chavez, justified his selection by scoring his first international goal shortly after the interval.
Teenage midfielder Gilberto Mora, making his first start of the tournament, also impressed and played a key role in Mexico’s second goal.
Mora’s pass released Jorge Sanchez, whose initial effort was saved by goalkeeper Matej Kovar. However, a frantic sequence inside the Czech penalty area ended with Julian Quinones poking home a loose ball to score his second goal of the World Cup.
At 17 years and 253 days old, Mora became the sixth-youngest player ever to start a men’s World Cup match and the youngest player to do so for Mexico.
The teenager received a standing ovation when substituted after 72 minutes, and his replacement, Alvaro Fidalgo, added further gloss to the scoreline by curling a fine effort into the top corner from 15 yards.
Aside from the goals, one of the loudest cheers inside the Azteca Stadium was reserved for veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who came on late in the match.
The 40-year-old is appearing in his sixth World Cup campaign, matching the record achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, although he only featured on the pitch in four of those tournaments after being an unused squad member in 2006 and 2010.
Mexico will now remain in Mexico City for a last-32 encounter against one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams on July 1.
For the Czech Republic, however, the defeat confirmed their elimination, bringing their World Cup campaign to an end with just a single point from three matches.
As Group A concluded, Mexico marched into the knockout rounds with a flawless record, South Africa celebrated a landmark achievement in their football history, South Korea were left anxiously awaiting their fate, and the Czech Republic exited the tournament.