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A second-half strike from Thapelo Maseko proved decisive as Bafana Bafana claimed all three points, finishing second in the group behind Mexico and booking a place in the Round of 32.
The victory means South Africa, who had not qualified for a World Cup since hosting the tournament in 2010, have progressed beyond the group stage for the first time in their history. They will now face Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The match offered few moments of quality, with South Africa adopting a disciplined defensive approach and looking to exploit opportunities on the counter-attack. South Korea, meanwhile, enjoyed the majority of possession but struggled to create meaningful chances in the final third.
The breakthrough came in the second half when Maseko controlled the ball inside the penalty area, shifted it onto his left foot, and fired a low shot through the legs of a defender and into the near corner.
South Africa had looked the more threatening side throughout the contest, creating the better opportunities despite seeing less of the ball. Their pace and organisation on the break repeatedly troubled the South Korean defence.
South Korea’s attacking efforts were limited, with only a handful of chances, including an early attempt from Lee Kang-in and a header from Oh Hyeon-gyu. Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min was introduced at half-time but had little influence on the game.
The result leaves South Korea relying on other group results and the ranking of third-placed teams to determine whether they can still advance to the knockout rounds.
For South Africa, the victory was another milestone under veteran coach Hugo Broos, who recently announced he intends to retire after the tournament. His side displayed determination, defensive discipline, and resilience to earn a memorable win.
Although South Africa showed occasional weaknesses in possession and missed chances to extend their lead, they remained the more purposeful team throughout and fully deserved their place in the knockout stage.
The historic triumph marks a significant achievement for South African football and keeps alive their hopes of a deep run in the tournament.
Source: citinews
