South Africa advances to World Cup knockout stage after victory over South Korea

By Liam Tremblay — 25 June 2026 — 4 min read

Historic World Cup advancement for South Africa

South Africa has achieved a significant milestone by advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. This achievement follows an exhilarating 1-0 victory over South Korea at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. The win secured Bafana Bafana’s second-place finish in Group A, a remarkable turnaround after starting the night at the bottom of the group standings.

The decisive goal came in the 63rd minute from Thapelo Maseko, firing into the net and stunning South Korea. This result means South Africa will now face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles in the Round of 32, marking the first confirmed matchup of the knockout stage. For South Korea, back-to-back defeats have placed them in third position, leaving their knockout-round prospects uncertain as they await other results.

The celebrations extended beyond the stadium, with fans in Johannesburg taking to the streets to mark the historic occasion. Many dedicated supporters sacrificed sleep to watch the match, which kicked off at 3 AM local time, unaware of the history about to unfold. Lorenz Kohler, a football fan from Johannesburg, noted that this moment surpasses the excitement of 2010 when South Africa hosted the tournament but failed to progress past the group stage. Another fan, Byron Pillay, highlighted how many critics had doubted the team’s capabilities before the tournament, making the victory even more satisfying.

Tactical decisions and on-field performance

A surprising decision by South Korea’s coach, Hong Myung-bo, saw captain and star player Son Heung-min benched for the first half of the match. Son, who is the country’s all-time top appearance maker with 146 caps and their second-highest scorer, was a notable absence from the starting lineup. Despite showing no signs of injury in the previous game, the decision was reportedly a tactical one, potentially aimed at providing a jolt to the team after a narrow win against the Czech Republic and a defeat by Mexico.

Despite the perceived difference in talent, with South Korea boasting players from top global leagues compared to South Africa’s squad, which largely plays domestically, Hugo Broos’s team posed significant challenges in the first half. Thapelo Maseko was particularly active, creating several opportunities and forcing a strong save from Kim Seung-gyu in the 30th minute after a shot from Thalente Mbatha. By halftime, South Africa had registered three shots on target, while South Korea had none, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among their supporters.

The atmosphere in Estadio BBVA was further influenced by news of Mexico’s opening goal in Mexico City, which led to enthusiastic celebrations among local fans and even some South Korean supporters. It was amidst this lively environment that Maseko capitalized, bringing the ball onto his left foot and scoring the winning goal. This moment shifted the dynamics, placing South Korea in third place and necessitating a goal to secure second. Coach Hugo Broos expressed pride in his team’s tactical execution, stating, “I think we played a very good game tactically. It was very good; everyone did their job. I’m very proud of the performance of my team.”

Looking ahead to the knockout stage

The triumph is particularly meaningful for South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, as the 2026 World Cup is expected to mark the end of his nearly four-decade-long managerial career. The 74-year-old coach described the moment as emotional, emphasizing the team’s determination to survive the group stage. He took the reins of South African men’s football in 2021 and has guided them to this historic achievement.

The South African government also extended congratulations to the team, highlighting their determination, discipline, and fighting spirit on the global stage. This performance has inspired hope and excitement across the nation and showcased the country’s football talent. The team’s journey to the tournament had been marked by administrative issues, making their success even more impactful.

For their upcoming Round of 32 match against Canada in Los Angeles, South Africa will see the return of their midfielder, Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended due to a yellow card. His presence could be crucial in dictating the tempo of the game at SoFi Stadium. The team’s disciplined and determined play, coupled with their threat on the counter, suggests they will be a formidable opponent for Canada, who may find South Africa to be an unknown quantity given the unexpected nature of their recent performance.

South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, expressed confidence in his team’s belief and fighting spirit for their next match.

Source: aljazeera.com