South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 and qualified for the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history. The result left South Korea waiting to learn if they qualify in the next stage.
South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 and qualified for the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history. The result left South Korea waiting to learn if they qualify in the next stage.
South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey to close their Group A schedule with a first win of the tournament. A second-half goal scored by Thapelo Maseko proved decisive. The result lifted Bafana Bafana off the bottom of the group, where they had sat on a single point, to second place in their group, securing their first knockout stage qualification.
South Korea's defeat leaves them hoping to advance as one of the best third-placed teams across the tournament. Their fate now rests on results elsewhere.
Bafana arrived at the match needing a victory to reach the knockout stage for the first time. They had opened with a 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, a game in which Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off, reducing South Africa to nine men. A late Teboho Mokoena penalty then earned a 1-1 draw against Czechia.
The campaign drew heavy online abuse, which split the camp's response. Head coach Hugo Broos was dismissive. "I never listen to the trash on social media," he said. "I never listen to people who sometimes think they are important and feel they have to criticise the team."
Captain Ronwen Williams was more candid about the cost. "You know how difficult it is now that everyone is attacking you on social media," the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper said. "If you lose a game and you don't perform, you can accept that as a player. But when there is false information circulating, that is what hurts. I have been targeted over the last few days for things I never even said."
Hundreds of Korean Americans watched the match at Liberty Park in Los Angeles' Koreatown, more than 1,400 miles from the action in Monterrey. Dressed in red and carrying South Korean flags, supporters chanted under the slogan "Keeping Our Roots Eternal."
The mood held even after the goal went in. During the hydration break, cheerleaders led routines to Psy's "Gangnam Style" and music from "KPop Demon Hunters."
"I love Korea. I love representing my heritage," said Irene Choi, who was born in Los Angeles. "Every single World Cup viewing party in K-Town is always so much fun. It brings our community together."
For South Africa, the win was a marker for a squad in transition. Broos, who will return to Belgium for retirement after the tournament, handed World Cup debuts to five young players during his five-year tenure: Relebohile Mofokeng (21), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (20), Oswin Appollis (24), Jayden Adams (25) and Thapelo Maseko (22).
For South Korea, the wait begins. The final whistle confirmed a result that pushes them into the best third-placed reckoning, with qualification out of their own hands.
