◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Thapelo Maseko scores as South Africa earned qualification to the knockout stage with a shock 1-0 win over South Korea..

South Africa pulled off a shock 1-0 win over South Korea in their Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico at the Monterey Stadium on Wednesday, securing their first-ever qualification for the knockout stage.

In the first half, South Africa had two close-range shots saved. In the second half, Maseko scored with a powerful shot. At a crucial moment, Park Jin-seoB's close-range header was brilliantly saved off the goal line. Ultimately, South Africa secured a shock 1-0 victory. After this match, Bafana Bafana rose to second place in the group with four points, overtaking their opponents of this match and securing their qualification for the Round of 32s. The Taeguk Warriors, who suffered two consecutive defeats, dropped to third place in the group with three points, losing their chance to automatically qualify.

First Half

In the 2nd minute, South Korea earned a corner kick opportunity. Lee Kang-in took the corner by crossing it into the box. Kim Min-jae rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was blocked off the goal line by Aubrey Modibo.

5 minutes later, Lee Jae-sung crossed from the byline at the left side of the box. Lee Kang-in quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before volleying with his left foot from the right side of the box, but his shot went just slightly wide of the right side of the post.

In the 18th minute, South Africa launched a quick counter-attack. Relebohile Mofokeng played a low diagonal through pass from near the midfield center circle. After beating the offside trap, Thapelo Maseko quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying with his left foot, but his shot was blocked by Lee Gi-hyuk.

12 minutes later, Maseko passes horizontally from the right side of the box. Thalente Mbatha quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, took a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area. His shot was initially parried and cleared off not far away Kim Seung-gyu. Upon picking up the loose pall, Evidence Makgopa took a left-footed follow-up shot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot was saved by Kim Seung-gyu! South Africa missed a golden opportunity to take the lead first!

In the 38th minute, South Africa launched a quick counter-attack. Mofokeng intercepted the ball and played a long pass from his own back half. After beating the offside trap, Maseko quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

At halftime, South Africa and South Korea temporarily enter the break with a goalless 0-0 draw.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 60th minute, Seol Young-woo crossed into the box from the right wing. Oh Hyeon-gyu rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved on the goal line by Ronwen Williams.

3 minutes later, Tshepang Moremi crossed into the box from the left wing. from the penalty area. Moseko quickly followed up and stopped the ball before volleying the ball into the bottom right corner of the net from the right side of the box with his left foot, which left Kim Seung-gyu helpless. South Africa broke the deadlock first to take a 1-0 lead! With this goal, Moseko broke the record and became the second youngest goalscorer in South Africa's national team history!

In the 85th minute, upon picking up the loose ball, Seol Young-woo took a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

In the third minute of injury time, Jens Castrop crossed into the box from the left wing, where Park Jin-seob rose high and attempted with a header in a very close distance in the box, however his effort was saved by Williams on the goal line! South Korea missed a golden opportunity to equalize against South Africa with a late goal kick!

When the final whistle is blown, South Africa pulling off a shock 1-0 victory over South Korea.

Image source: Internet / FIFA official website