South Africa Reach First Ever World Cup Knockout Stage
Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike beats South Korea 1-0 and sends Hugo Broos's side into a last-32 tie with co-hosts Canada.
Daniel Fletcher
Writer ·
South Africa have written a new chapter in their footballing history, reaching the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time after a tense 1-0 win over South Korea in the final Group A fixture.
Thapelo Maseko settled the contest in the 63rd minute, finishing low after his side had weathered an early storm and gradually taken control of the match.
A long-awaited breakthrough
Victory left Hugo Broos's team on four points and booked a last-32 meeting with co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on 28 June. The result carried added significance: South Africa had failed to escape the group stage at the 1998, 2002 and 2010 tournaments.
South Korea, who controversially started Son Heung-min on the bench, were left clinging to hopes of progressing through the best third-placed standings.
What happens next
Broos's side now face the daunting task of a knockout tie against a host nation roared on by a partisan crowd, but they travel to Los Angeles with momentum and a place in history already secured.
Sources: reporting by The Guardian.
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