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France 24
France 24
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FRANCE 24

World Cup 2026: South Africa reach knockout stage for first time with win over South Korea

South Africa forward Thapelo Maseko celebrates scoring against South Korea in their World Cup Group A match.
South Africa forward Thapelo Maseko celebrates scoring against South Korea in their World Cup Group A match. © Yuri CORTEZ, AFP

South Africa reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over South Korea, completing a remarkable recovery after losing their opener. Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive second-half goal as Bafana Bafana secured second place in Group A behind Mexico after drawing with the Czech Republic.

South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, an astonishing turnaround after a dismal opening defeat.

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