Thapelo Maseko settled a tense, goalless duel in the 63rd minute, driving a low shot through a defender’s legs and inside the far post to give South Africa a 1–0 victory over South Korea at Estadio BBVA. The goal, created by substitute Tshepang Moremi’s cross from the left, was the only breakthrough in a match that saw South Korea control 60 percent of possession but fail to convert early pressure into a lead. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams preserved the advantage with two crucial interventions in the final twenty minutes, and a late headed attempt by Jin-seob Park drifted off target as Bafana Bafana held on.

South Korea began brightly, with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Kang-in Lee curling a shot just wide inside the opening ten minutes. South Africa absorbed that spell and grew into the contest through rapid counter-attacks, Maseko forcing a block and Oswin Appollis and Thalente Mbatha both testing goalkeeper Seung-gyu Kim before the interval. Coach Hugo Broos deployed a high press that disrupted South Korea’s buildup, and after the break his side found the decisive moment when Moremi, on the pitch for only a minute, delivered the ball for Maseko to finish. South Korea made three substitutions at halftime and pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but the South African backline, anchored by Williams, repelled a series of late crosses and set pieces.

The result completed a turnaround for South Africa, who had opened the tournament with a 2–0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico and then salvaged a 1–1 draw against the Czech Republic thanks to a stoppage-time penalty. Those two points left them needing a win to advance, while South Korea required only a draw after beating the Czechs 2–1. Mexico topped Group A with nine points following a 3–0 win over the Czech Republic, meaning South Africa finished second on four points and South Korea third on three, with a goal difference of minus one. The Koreans now wait to learn whether they will progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

In South Africa, the final whistle at around 5 a.m. local time sent thousands into the streets, many still in pyjamas and dressing gowns, blowing vuvuzelas and singing the Zulu chant “Shosholoza.” Fireworks lit up Soweto, and President Cyril Ramaphosa posted congratulations on social media, praising an “inspired team performance.” Captain Ronwen Williams said the squad had used pre-tournament predictions that wrote them off as motivation: “When I saw the posts … and we were given no chance, that gave us strength, knowing that everyone was against us.” Broos, the 74-year-old Belgian who will retire after the tournament, highlighted his players’ speed and tactical discipline, noting that “when we had the ball, we were very dangerous.”

South Africa will face co-host Canada in the round of 32 on 28 June in Los Angeles, marking the first time the nation has advanced beyond the group stage in four World Cup appearances. Their previous campaigns—in 1998, 2002, and as hosts in 2010—all ended at the first hurdle, with the 2010 exit making them the first host nation eliminated in the group phase.