Bafana Bafana make history by storming into World Cup knockouts as Mexico extend perfect run

Thapelo Maseko scored in the second half for South Africa as they secured an automatic place in the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, pipping South Korea 1-0 at the Estadio Monterrey in Mexico on Thursday morning.

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Needing a win and a favorable result in the other Group A tie, Bafana Bafana stunned many as they struck a dagger in the 63rd minute, guaranteeing second place in their pool, after tournament co-hosts Mexico did them a job by overcoming Czech Republic 3-0 at the Mexico City Stadium.

After a fairly quiet game offensively, it was South Africa who found the decisive blow shortly after the hour-mark, when the industrious Maseko rifled a shot into the bottom right corner from 15 yards, feeding off a brilliant pass from Tshepang Moremi on the left.

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The goal, which came as the announcements from the other group game rung inside the stadium, was the validation of the tremendous effort Bafana Bafana had put in the game beforehand, having threatened on multiple occasions, but without a telling touch.

South Korea, on the other hand, seemed content for a draw, which would have seen them progress automatically, but to get punished by the arrowed strike, and forced to hold on to their ambitions until at least the end of the weekend.

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Across town at Mexico City, a much-changed Mexico ensured their 100 per-cent record at this year’s World Cup remained, needing three second-half goals from Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones, and Alvaro Fidalgo, to end a perfect group-stage run that saw them win all three games without conceding a single goal.

After getting buried in their opener against Mexico, South Africa came into the last group game with a chance to make history, much of their confidence emanating from their improved performance in the 1-1 draw against Czech Republic.

If anything, South Korea looked the real party-poopers inside the first few minutes of the game, as they held much of the possession, and could easily have taken the lead after 180 seconds, when skipper Kim Min-jae headed a corner goalwards, only for it to be blocked at the line.

Lee Kang-in, would in the next few moments, lash a left-footed strike wide, as South Africa held on by the tightest of margins.

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It was not until the 19th minute when the early signs of threat from South Africa were noted, with Relebohile Mofokeng seeing his long-range shot blocked by Lee Gi-hyuk, before Oswin Appollis tested the goalkeeper with a direct shot at goal.

Bafana Bafana, who were showing massive improvement from their horror show on the opening day in Azteca, laid traps all evening for South Korea, and almost benefitted from their quick breakaways when Thalente Mbatha forced Kim Seung-gyu to a big save in the 29th minute, with Evidence Makgopa missing on the follow-up.

Maseko, showing incredible speed, should have had one of his chances stick, and was unfortunate to see his left foot shot fly over the goal in the 38th minute.

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South Korea reacted in the second half by summoning their captain Son Heung-min from the bench, but on this day was not overly impactful, as much of the team's attack looked disjointed.

It would not be long till South Africa found the right moment to pounce, as Maseko rifled home a big finish, to coincide with the multiple stadium announcements that relayed Mexico's goals against Czechia.

Having shown fragility in defense, South Africa lay their bodies on the line to great effect in the dying moments, to see out a result that will live down in the memory of all involved.

At the same time at Azteca, Mexico's legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa had his day in the sun, coming on as a substitute to mark his 154th cap for the national team, and extend his run of World Cup appearances to a whooping six tournaments, the 2006 and 2010 editions featuring him as an unsused substitute.

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WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 3)

Group A

Thursday

South Africa - South Korea 1-0 (0-0)

/Maseko 63/

Czech Republic - Mexico 0-3 (0-0)

/Chavez 55, Quinones 61, Fidalgo 90+4/