- Full Time
- J. Adams on for R. Mofokeng80'
- 79'Cho Gue-Sung
- I. Rayners on for T. Maseko75'
- 74'Cho Gue-Sung on for Oh Hyeon-Gyu
- A. Modiba73'
- 65'Park Jin-Seob on for Kim Min-Jae
- T. Maseko63'
- T. Moremi on for O. Appollis62'
- 46'J. Castrop on for Lee Tae-Seok
- 46'Kim Jin-Gyu on for Paik Seung-Ho
- 46'Son Heung-Min on for Hwang Hee-Chan
- Kick Off
-
1
Thapelo Maseko1
- 1Thapelo Maseko5
- 2Thalente Mbatha2
- 3Evidence Makgopa2
- 1
Hwang In-Beom2 - 2Lee Gi-Hyuk2
- 3Lee Tae-Seok2
- 1Tshepang Moremi1
- 1Relebohile Mofokeng4
- 2Seol Young-Woo2
- 3Mbekezeli Mbokazi1
- 1Lee Gi-Hyuk91
- 2Kim Min-Jae83
- 3Lee Han-Beom75
- 1Lee Kang-In3
- 2Khuliso Mudau2
- 3Iqraam Rayners1
- 1Khuliso Mudau4
- 2Thalente Mbatha3
- 3Mbekezeli Mbokazi2
South Africa made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea in their final Group A fixture.
The first half offered little in the way of clear-cut chances, though South Korea should have taken an early lead. Just six minutes in, Lee Kang-in found space inside the box but dragged a left-footed effort wide of the far post from 15 yards. It proved to be the best opening of a quiet opening period, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested before the break.
Seeking a spark, South Korea made three substitutions at half-time, introducing Son Heung-min, Jens Castrop and Kim Jin-gyu. However, it was South Africa who continued to carry the greater threat after the restart.
Their breakthrough arrived on 59 minutes when Tshepang Moremi worked the ball into the path of Thapelo Maseko. The winger cut inside and rifled a superb strike into the bottom-right corner from 15 yards to spark celebrations among the South African supporters.
South Korea dominated possession in the closing stages and continued to probe for an equaliser, but they struggled to break down a disciplined South African defence. Wave after wave of attacks were repelled as the men in yellow protected their slender advantage.
When the final whistle sounded, South Africa had secured a famous result. Having started the evening at the bottom of the group, they climbed into the qualification places and booked their place in the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
South Korea, meanwhile, dropped to third place and must now wait to discover whether their points tally will be enough to earn one of the remaining qualification spots.
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