Jubilation as South Africa beat South Korea to reach World Cup knockout stage for first time
South Africa's Thapelo Maseko in action with South Korea's Lee Kang-in in their Group A match on June 24, 2026 at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.
South Africa celebrated a first World Cup knockout berth with jubilant scenes on Wednesday after Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea, who still have a chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Maseko fired into the bottom corner in the 63rd minute to put South Africa, who will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28, on four points behind Group A winners Mexico, who beat the Czech Republic 3-0.
