South Africans poured into the streets in pyjamas at 3am on Wednesday, singing and dancing after their side’s first World Cup knockout qualification – a moment 28 years in the making. Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute strike, a low shot into the bottom corner, secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea, sending the Bafana Bafana through as one of the eight best third-placed teams in an expanded 48-team tournament.
“It was a fantastic experience,” head coach Hugo Broos said. “It’s historical, and I’m very happy for the guys. I’ve been working with them for five years.” South Africa had failed to advance from the group stage in their first three World Cup appearances – 1998, 2002 and 2010 – when they became the first host nation to miss the knockout rounds. That bitter memory dissolved on a balmy Los Angeles night, where South Africa will now face co-hosts Canada on Sunday, having finished second in Group A behind Mexico, who beat Czechia 3-0.
“South Africa reached their first World Cup knockouts after 1-0 win over South Korea; Ecuador also advanced with 2-1 victory over Germany.”
South Korea, who started with talisman Son Heung-min on the bench, remain on three points but can still advance as a third-placed side. Their disappointment contrasted sharply with the jubilation in Soweto, where fans left homes in nightgowns and pyjamas to celebrate at the final whistle. Former striker Marks Maponyane summed up the mood on Instagram: “It’s going to be a loooong day South Africa.”
Earlier, Ecuador produced a stirring comeback to beat Germany 2-1 and book their own last-32 spot. Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata scored to overturn a deficit, securing qualification as one of the top eight third-placed teams. The victory ensured Ecuador join South Africa among the 16 sides already through, with the final group fixtures still to determine the complete knockout lineup.