Thapelo Maseko’s second-half goal lifted South Africa to a must-win 1-0 result against South Korea in their Group A finale in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Wednesday, sending Bafana Bafana to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
Maseko put South Africa in front in the 63rd minute with a clinical finish, burying a shot from his favored left foot to the right corner after a precision pass by Tshepang Moremi.
Ronwen Williams preserved the lead with a save on Park Jin-seob’s header in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
South Korea (1-2-0, 3 points) needed a win or draw to finish runner-up to Mexico and advance to the round of 32.
South Africa (1-1-1, 4 points) had to win and have Czech Republic lose to Mexico in the concurrent match to claim the second spot. Mexico (3-0-9, 9 points) logged a 3-0 win over the Czechs (0-2-1, 1 points), and when the hosts’ 1-0 lead was posted in the Guadalupe stadium in the 55th minute, the South African fans joined the Mexicans in attendance in celebrating.
