Maseko’s strike sends South Africa into the World Cup knockouts for the first time
Written off after losing their opener, South Africa beat South Korea in Monterrey to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time in their history.
Jun 25, 2026
South Africa are through to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time, and they got there the hard way. Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike settled a tense Group A finale against South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, a 1-0 win that lifted Bafana Bafana into the last 32 and left their opponents sweating on a place among the best third-placed sides.
It is a remarkable turn for a side that opened the tournament with a defeat and looked some way off the pace. South Africa needed a result on the final matchday, dug one out, and finished second in the group on four points. This is also their first World Cup appearance since they hosted the 2010 edition, which makes the breakthrough sweeter still.
Maseko settles a final-day shootout
For long stretches this had the feel of a game neither side wanted to lose rather than one either was desperate to win, and it was South Korea who carried the early threat. Kim Min-jae thought he had nudged them ahead inside the opening minutes, only for Aubrey Modiba to clear his header off the line, and Lee Kang-in dragged another good chance wide soon after.
South Africa steadied, grew into the contest and started to ask their own questions. Kim Seung-gyu kept the score level with smart stops from Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa as the second half opened up. The breakthrough arrived just past the hour. Maseko found space on the edge of the box and picked his spot, and South Africa had the lead they would not surrender.
South Korea had left Son Heung-min on the bench at kick-off, a bold call from coach Hong Myung-bo, and turned to their captain at half-time. Son was on the pitch when Maseko struck but could not conjure the equaliser his side needed, and the final whistle sent South Africa into raptures while leaving the Asian side staring at the third-place table.
Canada await in the last 32
Second place in Group A sets up a meeting with co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28. It is a winnable tie, and South Africa will travel to it with nothing to lose and the belief that comes from a result no one outside their camp saw coming.
For South Korea, the wait is agonising. A third-place finish leaves them dependent on results elsewhere and on where they land in the ranking of the eight best third-placed teams that go through. Son’s tournament, and that of a side many fancied to progress comfortably, now rests in others’ hands.