Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute as South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to reach the World Cup knockout round for the first time. The win sent Bafana Bafana into the last 16 as runners-up in Group A behind Mexico, with a Sunday clash against Canada in In
GUADALUPE, Mexico — South Africa knew the game demanded more than hope. In the 63rd minute, it finally found a way, and the noise around the moment turned into a statement: Thapelo Maseko scored to send Bafana Bafana past South Korea with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday night.
The goal came from a precise cross by Tshepang Moremi, and Maseko turned it into the strike that changed South Africa’s tournament. From there, the team held firm, enough to finish in second place in Group A behind Mexico, which won all three of its group-stage games.
South Africa’s reward is a knockout match on Sunday in Inglewood, California, against Canada, the second-place finisher in Group B.
For South Africa, the victory carries a long wait. Bafana Bafana had failed to advance from the group stage in 1998, 2002 and, when it hosted the tournament, in 2010. This time, the script was different. South Africa began the World Cup with a 2-0 loss to Mexico. then followed it with a 1-1 draw against Czech Republic after a late goal. Heading into its final group-stage game. it was trailing Mexico and expected to face South Korea—setting the stage for a turnaround.
South Korea’s campaign had started strongly too. It opened with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Czech Republic, then lost to Mexico 1-0 in its second match.
On the evidence of this night, South Africa had been ready for the moment when it mattered most. The victory came after the team shocked the Taegeuk Warriors in a group finale where it had entered trailing Mexico but favored South Korea—an outcome that flipped the standings and delivered a first knockout appearance.
South Korea’s history in the same competition adds weight to what just happened. The Taegeuk Warriors became the first Asian team to reach the knockout round in 2002, when they finished fourth overall. They also advanced out of the group stage in 2022 and 2010. both times reaching the round of 16—yet they now find themselves stopped by South Africa at the group stage this time.
With Mexico topping Group A and Canada set for its knockout test, Wednesday’s 1-0 result reshapes both sides’ paths. For South Africa, it’s the breakthrough they had been chasing across three failed group-stage attempts. For South Korea. it’s a reminder that even past momentum doesn’t guarantee progress when the final whistle decides everything.
South Africa South Korea World Cup Group A Thapelo Maseko Tshepang Moremi Canada Inglewood knockout round