South Africa Beats South Korea 1–0, Advances to Its First-Ever Knockout Round

South Africa will play Canada in Los Angeles, while the Koreans await their fate with other third-place finishers.

South Africa's Thapelo Maseko (12) scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Africa and South Korea in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, on June 24, 2026. Matias Delacroix/AP Photo

The third time was a charm for South African striker Thapelo Maseko, who was hailed as his nation’s hero Wednesday night.

On a South African counterattack in the 19th minute, Maseko received a through pass with plenty of time and space between him and the South Korean net. He took extra touches to set up a left-footed shot, allowing defender Lee Gi-hyuk to make a sliding challenge and prevent the shot.