South Africa celebrated a first World Cup knockout berth with jubilant scenes on Wednesday after Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea, who still have a chance of advancing as one of ​the best third-placed teams.

Maseko fired into the bottom corner in the 63rd minute to ​put South Africa, who will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June ⁠28, on four points behind Group A winners Mexico, who beat the Czech Republic ​3-0.

South Korea, who started with talisman Son Heung-min on the bench, have three points.

South Africa had failed to advance ​from the group stage in their first three World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2010.

“It was a fantastic experience. It was so tough today, but it was a good game. I think tactically we were ​very good and it was difficult for South Korea to find space,” South Africa coach ​Hugo Broos said.

“We scored, then there were 20 minutes of heart-stopping moments. It’s historical, and I’m very happy ‌for ⁠the guys. I’ve been working with them for five years.”

South Korea, who enjoyed most of the possession but lacked a cutting edge and inspiration, made the brighter start when Kim Min-jae’s header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba after two minutes, before Lee Kang-in fired ​over from inside the ​penalty area shortly afterwards.

South ⁠Africa gradually grew into the contest and nearly struck in the 19th minute when Maseko raced onto a through ball, only for Lee ​Gi-hyuk to produce a superb last-ditch tackle.

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu then made an ​excellent double ⁠save, first denying Thalente Mbatha before smothering Evidence Makgopa’s follow-up effort.

After soaking up the early pressure against a South Korea side that struggled to create clear openings, even with captain Son coming on at ⁠halftime, ​South Africa deservedly found the breakthrough.

Moremi slipped a precise ​pass into Maseko, who shifted the ball onto his left foot before drilling a low finish into the bottom right-hand ​corner to send his side into the last 32.

-Reuters

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Morocco have become the first African nation to book a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after securing qualification from Group C with a match to spare.

The Atlas Lions sealed their passage to the Round of 32 following a 4-2 victory over Haiti in Atlanta, capping an impressive group-stage campaign that also included a goalless draw against Brazil and a 1-0 victory over Scotland.

The result ensured Morocco accumulated seven points from their three group matches, guaranteeing progression and making them the first of Africa’s representatives to reach the tournament’s knockout phase.

Morocco’s qualification continues the country’s impressive World Cup pedigree after becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The North Africans have once again demonstrated their consistency on football’s biggest stage, finishing the group phase unbeaten.

While Morocco can now prepare for the Round of 32, the race continues for Africa’s other representatives. South Africa, Algeria, Egypt and DR Congo all remain in contention for qualification, while Tunisia have already been eliminated.

The Atlas Lions will now await their Round of 32 opponents as they bid to extend another memorable World Cup campaign and continue flying the African flag in the knockout rounds.

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Vinicius Junior scored twice as Brazil romped into the second round ​of the World Cup as Group C ‌winners with a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, a result that left the Scots ​relying on other results going their ​way to progress.

The electric Real Madrid ⁠forward opened the scoring courtesy of ​a Scottish mix-up in the seventh ​minute and added his second with a header in first-half stoppage time before Matheus Cunha ​rounded out the scoring on the ​hour mark.

The comfortable win, which featured the return ‌after ⁠a long absence of Neymar, combined with Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti, put Brazil on the road to Houston, ​where they ​will meet ⁠the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden next Monday.

Scotland, who disappointed their ​Tartan Army with a timid ​and ⁠error-prone display in the first half, will now hope to advance as one ⁠of ​the eight third-placed teams ​with the best records over the 12 groups.

-Reuters

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