Lee Kang-in in action with South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole and Thapelo Maseko during South Korea's match against South Africa at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Wednesday. (Reuters-Yonhap) South Africa took a 1-0 lead over South Korea in the 63rd minute of their final Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, putting the Taegeuk Warriors' hopes of reaching the Round of 32 in jeopardy.At Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, Teboho Maseko broke the deadlock with a left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner after a swift counterattack. Chepang Moremi provided the assist with a through ball that split the South Korean defense.South Korea entered the match needing only a draw to secure second place in Group A and advance to the knockout stage.The score was 0-0 at halftime, though South Africa had the better of the opening 45 minutes. The African side outshot South Korea 9-4 and forced goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu into a pair of key saves around the half-hour mark.South Korea captain Son Heung-min and German-Korean defender Jens Castrop were introduced after the break, but South Africa struck first as the match entered its final half-hour.
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