Thapelo Maseko celebrates after scoring the only goal as Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on Wednesday 24 June 2026 to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout round for the first time in South African history. Image: Carl Recine / Getty Images
South Africa have made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Monterrey on Wednesday 24 June 2026 to reach the knockout round for the first time in their history. Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal in the 63rd minute. Furthermore, Hugo Broos collapsed to the turf at the final whistle as his players flooded the pitch in celebration. As a result, South Africa face Canada in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday 28 June 2026 at 21:00 South African time.
Bafana Bafana World Cup History: The Goal That Changed Everything
The match was goalless at half-time despite Bafana creating several chances. Relebohile Mofokeng was outstanding throughout the game. Evidence Makgopa forced a brilliant save from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu in the first half. However, South Korea dominated possession with 63 percent of the ball and could not convert their chances into goals.
Then came the 63rd minute. Mofokeng released Maseko on a lightning counter-attack. Maseko controlled inside the box and drove a left-footed strike into the net. The Estadio BBVA erupted with noise. Furthermore, the goal moved Bafana into second place in Group A automatically. As a result, the final 27 minutes became the longest and most intense of South African football history.
South Korea threw everything at Bafana in the closing stages. The Koreans dominated possession. Chances came and went for the Asian side. However, captain Ronwen Williams and the South African defence held firm with composure and discipline that matched the magnitude of the moment. At the final whistle Broos fell to his knees. The bench poured onto the pitch. South Africa were through.
Hugo Broos Makes Bafana Bafana World Cup History at 79
Hugo Broos became the oldest coach to take a team into the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time. The 79-year-old Belgian took over Bafana in 2021 and changed a squad that had missed multiple World Cups into a team capable of beating Asia’s best. Furthermore, Broos carries personal World Cup history. Forty years ago he played for Belgium against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in 1986. Now he stood in Mexico again as the man who took South Africa further than any coach in the country’s football history. As a result, his place in South African football is already guaranteed.
The Turnaround Story of the Tournament
The scale of this moment only makes sense against the backdrop of eight days ago. South Africa lost their opener 2-0 to Mexico. Two players received red cards. Furthermore, Bafana finished that match with nine men. Many wrote them off immediately after that defeat.
Broos regrouped his players with calm and purpose. Bafana drew 1-1 with Czechia in Atlanta, with Teboho Mokoena equalising from the penalty spot. Then on Wednesday night in Monterrey they produced their best performance of the tournament. Furthermore, they did it the South African way. Defensively solid. Dangerous on the counter. Together in every moment. As a result, South Africa have produced one of the great World Cup stories of 2026.
South Africa Have Never Been Here Before in Their Bafana Bafana World Cup History
This is not just a milestone. It is a historic first for the country. In three previous World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2010, South Africa never passed the group stage. In 1998 they went out on goal difference. In 2002 they finished third in their group. Furthermore, in 2010 they became the first host nation ever to exit in the group stage despite beating France.
Wednesday night in Monterrey is different from all of those moments. Bafana did not just survive. They won a game that put them in the World Cup knockout round for the first time in 32 years of democratic history. As a result, South Africa woke up on Thursday 25 June 2026 to a moment its football has been chasing since the country first played at a World Cup in France in 1998.
Group A Final Standings
Mexico finished top of Group A after beating Czechia 3-0 in the simultaneous match. Mexico advance as group winners with seven points. South Africa finish second with four points and advance automatically. Furthermore, South Korea finish third with three points and their fate depends on how other groups finish. Czechia are eliminated with one point. As a result, the South Africa that played with nine men and lost 2-0 on 11 June have finished above one of Asia’s most established football nations.
What Comes Next in Bafana’s World Cup Journey
Bafana Bafana face Canada in the Round of 32 at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday 28 June 2026. Kick-off is at 21:00 South African time. Canada finished second in Group B and also make history as first-time World Cup knockout qualifiers. Furthermore, the match takes place in front of one of the largest stadiums in the world. As a result, South Africa’s next chapter will be written in Los Angeles in front of a global audience of hundreds of millions.
For the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 updates visit fifa.com.
Editors Note All match statistics and results referenced in this article are based on official FIFA World Cup 2026 records as at 25 June 2026. Mzansi Today Live will continue to follow Bafana Bafana’s World Cup journey.