South Africa reaches World Cup knockout phase for 1st time with 1-0 win over South Korea
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- South Africa advanced to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time by defeating South Korea 1-0, with Thapelo Maseko scoring the decisive goal in the 63rd minute.
- South Africa finished second in Group A behind Mexico and will face Canada, the second-place finisher from Group B, in the knockout round on Sunday in Inglewood, California.
- South Africa had previously failed to advance past the group stage in 1998, 2002, and as hosts in 2010, making this achievement a historic milestone for the team.
- South Korea’s head coach Hong Myung-bo faced criticism for not starting star player Son Heung-min, who was brought on as a substitute, and South Korea's advancement depends on other results this week.
- South African coach Hugo Broos expressed pride in his team’s mentality and described the victory as a dream ending to his coaching career.
