FIFA World Cup: South Africa fight back against the odds to reach historic knockout qualification
10 days before their first FIFA World Cup match against Mexico, South Africa didn’t know if they would even go to the tournament. Administrative failures and visa delays grounded the team indefinitely, and their preparations were thrown into disarray even before they reached North American shores.
The lack of preparation was evident when South Africa played their tournament opener against Mexico. Two of their players were red-carded – first Sphephelo Sithole for a last-man challenge and then Themba Zwane for punching a Mexican player in the face. The offense was deemed serious enough for FIFA to hand Zwane a three-match ban.
FIFA WORLD CUP: Highlights of South Korea vs South Africa
In the very first game itself, the South African campaign appeared to be collapsing.
Rather than let this result dictate their fate, Bafana Bafana, known for their fighting spirit, stood up and assessed the situation. They produced two solid performances against the Czech Republic and South Korea to reach their first ever qualification for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup.
South Africa did not get many chances before the tournament. Fair enough, many would say, considering they didn’t even qualify for the last three editions.
But Hugo Broose’s South Africa didn’t care.
They dug deep against the Czech Republic and earned a 1-1 draw, keeping their hopes of qualification alive.
Bafana Bafana then showed their flair in their final match of the group stage on Thursday 25 June. Knowing that a win would send them into history, South Africa repeatedly attacked down the right flank and looked threatening every time they moved forward.
They were forced to survive a really energetic start from South Korea, who looked more likely to score early on.
Under pressure, Rainbow Nation slowed down play in midfield, picked pockets of opposition forwards and launched heavy counter-attacks.
After a number of missed chances, the breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute when Thapelo Maseko dribbled into the box and calmly slotted the ball between the legs of a Korean defender.
South Africa finished with 14 shots, four on target, and gradually took control after early pressure. Yaya Sithole, sent off in the opening game, returned to put in a really strong performance against Son Heung-min’s side.
South Africa reverted to a six-man backline in the closing minutes of the match, targeting and clearing everything South Korea threw at the box through their defenders.
South Korean star Son Heung-min came on at half-time but barely affected the attack. His short passing sequences lacked connection with the players around him as Korea looked to dominate with pace on the wings and quick combinations in the middle of the pitch.
But in the process, errors crept into their midfield structure and they eventually lost control of the match.
In the second half in particular, South Korea showed a lack of urgency – something the broadcast commentators criticized.
After the defeat, Korea’s fate now rests in the hands of other teams. But with a goal difference of -1, their chances of progressing beyond the group stage look slim.
MEXICO STAY PERFECT AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP
Meanwhile, Mexico capped off a perfect FIFA World Cup group stage campaign with a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic on Thursday to complete three wins from three and end the European side’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.
Already assured of top spot in Group A before kick-off, the co-hosts showed no signs of letting up. Despite rotating their side and giving opportunities to fringe players, Mexico produced another controlled performance to finish the group stage with maximum points.
However, the game lacked urgency for much of the opening half. Needing a result to stay alive, the Czech Republic started the brighter and almost got an early breakthrough through Denis Visinski, who stretched his effort wide when he found space in the box.
Mexico struggled to create clear openings and had to wait until the 35th minute for their first real attempt, when defender Israel Reyes attempted an ambitious header that went harmlessly wide.
After the break, the game changed completely.
Mexico finally broke through in the 55th minute, when Luis Romo weaved a smart pass into the run of fullback Mateo Chavez, who raced into the penalty area and calmly shot past goalkeeper Matej Kovář.
Six minutes later, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora created the moment of the night. The youngster drove through midfield and slotted a pinpoint ball into Jorge Sanchez, whose effort caused chaos in the area before Julian Quinones was quickest to react to score his second goal of the tournament.
The celebrations only intensified when veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came on late in his 154th international appearance and sixth FIFA World Cup.
Alvaro Fidalgo then added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time, smashing home from distance to seal Mexico’s most convincing performance to date and send them into the round of 32 with some serious momentum.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
25 Jun 2026 09:39 IST