South Africa berthed a place in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea in Monterrey.
The result lifted Bafana Bafana to second place in their group behind Mexico and guaranteed their progression to the last 32, where they will face Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday. For South Korea, the defeat leaves qualification hopes hanging by a thread as they await the outcome of results in other groups to determine whether they can advance as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
In a match short on clear-cut opportunities, South Africa executed their game plan to perfection, absorbing pressure and looking to strike on the counterattack. South Korea enjoyed the majority of possession but struggled to convert territorial dominance into meaningful chances.
The decisive moment arrived when Maseko controlled the ball inside the penalty area, shifted it onto his left foot and fired a low effort through the legs of defender Jens Castrop and beyond the goalkeeper. It was a goal that sparked celebrations among South African supporters and sealed a landmark achievement for the African nation.
Elsewhere in the group, co-hosts Mexico completed a flawless group-stage campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Mexico City. Already assured of top spot before kick-off, coach Javier Aguirre rotated his squad and was rewarded with an impressive display from several younger players.
Left-back Mateo Chavez opened the scoring shortly after halftime with his first international goal, while teenage midfielder Gilberto Mora produced another eye-catching performance. Mora played a key role in Mexico’s second goal, scored by Julian Quinones, after a flowing move that exposed the Czech defence.
At just 17 years and 253 days old, Mora became the youngest Mexican to start a men’s World Cup match and the sixth-youngest starter in the competition’s history. Mexico’s third victory from three matches ensured they finished the group phase with maximum points and further strengthened their credentials as serious contenders.
Canada, meanwhile, will now leave home soil for the remainder of the tournament after a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland saw them finish second in Group B. The result means Jesse Marsch’s side will travel to Los Angeles for a last-32 showdown with South Africa rather than remaining in Vancouver.
Despite the setback, Marsch remained upbeat about his team’s prospects, highlighting Canada’s achievement in reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in World Cup history. He insisted the team still has an opportunity to inspire the nation as they continue their campaign away from home.
In Group C, Scotland’s World Cup future hangs in the balance following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Miami. Needing only a draw to all but guarantee progression, Steve Clarke’s side instead suffered a painful loss that left them relying on results elsewhere.
Scotland finished third in the group with three points and a goal difference of minus three. While statistical models still give them a chance of advancing among the best third-placed teams, the mood within the camp was far from optimistic. Midfielder John McGinn admitted qualification now appears unlikely, while Clarke suggested the Scots may be preparing for an early journey home.
Brazil’s victory ensured they topped the group, while Morocco secured second place after surviving a spirited challenge from Haiti in Atlanta. The North Africans came from behind twice before claiming a dramatic 4-2 victory through late goals from Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine.
Haiti, already eliminated before kick-off, threatened to produce one of the tournament’s biggest surprises after taking the lead on two occasions. Their opening goal came when Lenny Joseph’s effort deflected off Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and into the net, officially recorded as an own goal.
Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari twice restored parity for Morocco before Rahimi struck with 12 minutes remaining to put his side ahead for the first time. Yassine then sealed the win in the closing stages, ensuring the 2022 semi-finalists advanced to the knockout rounds, where they will face either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden.
