Group A • Match 54 — South Africa 1–0 Korea Republic
2026-06-24 • 21:00:00 • Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe • FIFA World Cup 2026
South Africa earned a huge 1–0 victory over Korea Republic at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico. After a scoreless first half, Thapelo Maseko broke the match open in the 63rd minute, finishing the decisive chance after Tshepang Moremi’s contribution from the bench. Korea Republic pushed late through Park Jin-Seob, Son Heung-Min and Seol Young-Woo, but Ronwen Williams and the South African defensive block protected the clean sheet.
The result was built on efficiency rather than possession. Korea Republic controlled long spells of the ball and completed 641 passes, but South Africa generated more total attempts and produced the only goal of the match. The closing stages were tense, with Korea Republic forcing corners and Park Jin-Seob testing Williams in stoppage time, but South Africa held firm.
ESPN recorded the match at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, with Facundo Tello listed as referee. South Africa lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Ronwen Williams in goal; Aubrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau and Ime Okon in defence; Thalente Mbatha and Sphephelo Sithole in midfield; Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thapelo Maseko and Evidence Makgopa in attack. Korea Republic used a 3-4-3 with Kim Seung-Gyu in goal; Lee Han-Beom, Kim Min-Jae, Lee Tae-Seok and Seol Young-Woo across the back line; Lee Gihyuk, Hwang In-Beom, Paik Seung-Ho, Hwang Hee-Chan and Lee Kang-In in midfield support; and Oh Hyeon-Gyu leading the attack.
Final Score
- South Africa: 1
- Korea Republic: 0
Goal
- 63' — Thapelo Maseko, South Africa; assist: Tshepang Moremi
Key Statistics
- Possession: South Africa 33% — Korea Republic 60% with 7% in contest
- Total attempts: South Africa 13 — Korea Republic 8
- Shots on target: South Africa 4 — Korea Republic 3
- Shots off target: South Africa 7 — Korea Republic 3
- Attempts inside penalty area: South Africa 5 — Korea Republic 5
- Attempts outside penalty area: South Africa 8 — Korea Republic 3
- Corners: South Africa 4 — Korea Republic 6
- Free kicks: South Africa 9 — Korea Republic 10
- Fouls against: South Africa 7 — Korea Republic 9
- Offsides: South Africa 3 — Korea Republic 0
- Passes: South Africa 345 — Korea Republic 797
- Passes completed: South Africa 278 — Korea Republic 641
- Crosses: South Africa 10 — Korea Republic 35
- Crosses completed: South Africa 1 — Korea Republic 6
- Forced turnovers: South Africa 24 — Korea Republic 16
- Yellow cards: South Africa 1 — Korea Republic 1
- Red cards: South Africa 0 — Korea Republic 0
Status: Completed.
https://livesports.oiiq.net/index.php/matches/54-group-a-match-54-south-africa-vs-korea-republic
