South Africa 1–0 South Korea: Maseko strike sends Bafana Bafana through

South Africa produced a disciplined defensive performance to beat South Korea 1–0 at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, advancing to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time. A cagey first half saw South Korea enjoy the better of the early chances — Kim Min-jae headed a corner onto Aubrey Modiba on the line and Lee Kang-in fired just wide — before goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a crucial double save around the half-hour mark to deny Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa.

South Korea manager Hong Myung-bo made a triple substitution at half time, introducing captain Son Heung-min — controversially dropped from the starting XI in his first World Cup match without a start since 2010 — and switching to a back four. The changes failed to unlock South Africa's defensive shape. Against the run of play, substitute Tshepang Moremi drove a low cross into the box from the left on 63 minutes and Thapelo Maseko guided a composed finish into the bottom-right corner past Kim Seung-gyu.

South Korea pressed desperately in the closing stages, with Son, Seol Young-woo and Park Jin-seob all unable to find a way through. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams produced a stunning save from Park deep in stoppage time to preserve the clean sheet. South Africa held on through six minutes of added time for a historic victory. South Korea were eliminated; South Africa advanced as Group A runners-up.