Thapelo Maseko leads South Africa to historical World Cup knockout qualification

On June 25, 2026, South Africa defeated South Korea 1-0 in their final group stage match of the FIFA World Cup, securing a historic spot in the round of 32. The match was decided by a 63rd-minute goal scored by Thapelo Maseko, an athlete currently associated with the Cypriot club AEL Limassol. This victory brought South Africa to four points, effectively eliminating South Korea from the tournament. AEL Limassol publicly congratulated Maseko on social media, acknowledging his key performance, although reports indicate the club is concerned about potentially losing him to other teams due to his increased visibility during the tournament. The win marks the first time South Africa has successfully advanced to the knockout stage in their football history. While South Korea pressed for an equalizer, they were unable to convert their chances, finishing the group with three points.