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South Africa qualified for the round of 16 thanks to a historic victory against South Korea
South Africa reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time after a dramatic 1-0 victory against South Korea, thanks to a goal from Thapelo Maseko. South Korea, which left Son Heung-min on the bench, is now waiting to know his fate.
MONTERREY, Mexico – South Africa reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time with a thrilling 1-0 victory over South Korea at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey. After entering the match bottom of Group A, Bafana Bafana moved up to second place thanks to Thapelo Maseko's decisive goal in the 63rd minute. South Korea, who surprisingly decided to leave Son Heung-min on the bench in the first half, will now face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles in the round of 16, the first known match of the elimination stage.
South Korea will have to wait to understand their fate after two consecutive defeats which relegated them to third place in the group. According to The Athletic's prediction tool, there is an 89% chance that they will clash with the leaders of Group G, currently led by Egypt. The decision to leave Son out of the starting lineup came as a surprise, as he is his nation's all-time leading goalscorer and recognized captain.
The match saw South Africa create several chances, with Maseko having many chances to strike. The closest they came to scoring in the first half came when Evidence Makgopa's shot was saved by Kim Seung-gyu. With a disappointing first half for Korea, needing only one point to qualify, the atmosphere became tense among the fans, who booed at the end of the first half.
The atmosphere changed dramatically when news of Mexico's goal reached the stadium, sparking celebrations among local fans and even Koreans in the stands. Maseko took advantage of this moment of confusion and scored with an accurate shot, giving South Africa the lead.
The victory was unexpected: South Africa, with a team made up mostly of players active in their country, put the Koreans, who boast stars in the best leagues in the world, in difficulty. This performance demonstrated determination and discipline, posing significant challenges to the South Koreans.
Now, South Africa is preparing to face Canada in the round of 16, with the hope of continuing the dream of an unforgettable World Cup. Teboho Mokoena, their key midfielder, will return to action after a suspension, and could prove decisive for the rest of the tournament.
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