South Africa 1-0 South Korea: Maseko delivers killer blow as Bafana make World Cup history

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South Africa 1-0 South Korea: Maseko delivers killer blow as Bafana make World Cup history
Thapelo Maseko celebrates his goal with his Bafana teammates against South Korea. Photo: SAFA

Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal as South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to seal their place in the World Cup knockout round for the first time in their history.

South Africa 1-0 South Korea: What just happened?

In a game which Bafana Bafana dominated in Monterrey on Thursday morning, it was fitting that Maseko settled it as he was the liveliest player from the starting XI chosen by coach Hugo Broos.

The Cyprus-based winger had two great opportunities to break the deadlock, one in the first half and immediately after restart, but could not make it count.

However, he was not to be denied for a third time as he fired home a low shot from substitute Tshepang Moremi’s brilliant pass to give South Africa a well-deserved lead after 63 minutes.

Bafana Bafana players celebrate victory against South Korea.
Bafana Bafana players celebrate victory against South Korea.

The big talking point: Maseko comes up trumps

Broos made three changes to his starting XI, bringing back Sphephelo Sithole for the suspended Teboho Mokoena while Relebohile Mofokeng and Evidence Makopa started this time.  

That offensive approach paid off as Mofokeng ran rings around the Korea defence with his movement in tight areas.

However, it was the Koreans who nearly took an early lead when South Africa were stretched in defence, the ball falling to Kang-In Lee who took a great shot but saw it go wide in the seventh minute.

South Africa striker Evidence Makgopa reacts during their World Cup match in Monterrey.
South Africa striker Evidence Makgopa reacts during their World Cup match in Monterrey. Image: Imago

Ten minutes later, South Africa had their best opportunity when they went on the counter attack but Maseko’s well-taken shot was blocked.

In the 30th minute, Broos’ side had another big chance when Thalente Mbatha’s thunderbolt was punched into the path of Makgopa but the Orlando Pirates striker fired directly at the goalkeeper from the rebound.

That led to a goalless first half but South Africa were the most impressive, having managed 10 attempts, three on target, with Korea not troubling Ronwen Williams in the Bafana goal.

In the second half, Maseko had a great opportunity immediately after restart when Mofokeng teed him up with a backheeled pass but his effort was blocked once more.

South Africa players celebrate their goal against South Korea.
South Africa players celebrate their goal against South Korea. Photo: SAFA

However, substitute Moremi made an immediate impact as just moments after coming on, he made a great run down the left side before delivering a pin-point pass to Maseko on the right, and the former Mamelodi Sundowns forward fired low past South Korea goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim.

Bafana managed the game well, fending off the Koreans to secure their first win at the 2026 World Cup and most importantly, a place in the Round of 32.

The bigger picture: Canada next for Bafana

South Africa players celebrate World Cup victory against South Korea.
South Africa players celebrate World Cup victory against South Korea. Photo: SAFA

With Mexico beating Czech Republic 3-0 in the other Group A match, the co-hosts finished top with the maximum nine points while South Africa finished second with four.

Bafana will now take on Canada in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday while South Korea, on three points, wait anxiously to know if they will be one of the eight best third-placed teams.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

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