Mokoena’s late penalty earns South Africa a 1-1 draw with Czechia in Atlanta
Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty cancelled out Michal Sadilek’s early opener as South Africa drew 1-1 with Czechia at Atlanta Stadium for their first point of the World Cup.
Jun 18, 2026
South Africa salvaged a point from a game they spent most of chasing, Teboho Mokoena converting a late penalty to hold Czechia to a 1-1 draw in their Group A clash at Atlanta Stadium on June 18. Both sides arrived in Georgia still looking for their first point of the World Cup, and in the end neither could find the win that would have given their campaign real momentum.
Sadilek strikes early for Czechia
Czechia barely needed time to settle. Inside the opening six minutes Michal Sadilek finished off a sharp move with Sojka to put his side in front, the fastest goal of the World Cup so far, and for long stretches afterwards the Czechs looked the more likely team to add to the lead.
Patrik Schick and Vladimir Darida fashioned the better openings, but the finishing touch kept eluding them. A header went begging, chances came and went, and a one-goal cushion that should have been doubled stayed stubbornly at 1-0. That profligacy left the door ajar, and South Africa eventually walked through it.
Mokoena’s spot-kick rescues Bafana Bafana
South Africa had offered little going forward for much of the afternoon, but they grew into the contest as it wore on. Their reward came seven minutes from time, when Pavel Sulc handled inside his own box and the referee pointed to the spot. Mokoena stepped up and made no mistake, sending his spot-kick low past the goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1.
The point does more for South Africa’s mood than the scoreline suggests. They opened the tournament with a 2-0 loss to Mexico in a fractious match, and a first point on the board keeps them in touch in a group that remains open. Czechia, beaten 2-1 by South Korea in their first outing, will feel they let two more slip away after controlling so much of the play.
With Mexico and South Korea having won their openers, both Czechia and South Africa now sit on a single point and will likely need a result in their final group game to keep their hopes of advancing alive. On this evidence, South Africa will take heart from how they finished, while Czechia are left to rue the chances they spurned.