Bafana Bafana reach World Cup round of 32 with 1-0 win over South Korea

Bafana Bafana secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout berth with a 1-0 win over South Korea at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Thursday. The lone goal came in the 63rd minute from Thapelo Maseko, sending South Africa through to the round of 32.

Key moment and outcome

The 1-0 victory left Bafana on four points, enough to finish second in Group A and advance automatically. Mexico finished top of the group after beating Czechia 3-0 in a simultaneous match.

What comes next

Bafana will play in the first fixture of the round of 32 against World Cup co-hosts Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday.

Team background and match context

Under coach Hugo Broos, South Africa reached the knockout stage after previously exiting at the group phase in their three earlier World Cup appearances: 1998, 2002 and 2010.

Coming into the match, pre-game probabilities listed South Africa with an 18% chance of victory and a 25% chance of a draw, while South Korea were favoured with a 57% chance of winning.

Line-up changes and notable players

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was suspended and watched from the sidelines. Sphephelo Sithole started in his place. Young midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng made his first World Cup start in an attacking role. South Korea’s star Son Heung-min came on in the second half.

Significance

The result marked a milestone for South African football as Bafana advanced to the knockout round of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.