Maseko Sends Bafana Bafana Through to the Last 32 of the World Cup
Also on Wednesday, Day 15 of the tournament, Brazil and Morocco also went through, and Madibo received a five-match ban for the tackle that broke Koné's leg.
South Africa reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history, defeating South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey on Wednesday. Thapelo Maseko struck in the 63rd minute, turning in a cross from Tshepang Moremi, to seal a result that no one had predicted.
Bafana Bafana had entered their final Group A match needing a win and delivered it, finishing second behind Mexico. South Africa now travel to Inglewood, California, to face Canada in the round of 32 on Sunday.
The result ends a painful record: South Africa had been eliminated at the group stage in 1998, 2002, and when they hosted in 2010.
South Korea must now wait to see whether they advance as one of the eight best third-placed finishers.
Brazil and Morocco Through As Scotland’s World Cup Ends in Miami
Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0 in Miami to top Group C, with Vinícius Júnior scoring twice in a dominant display. Morocco beat Haiti 4-2 in Atlanta simultaneously to finish second in the group.
Scotland, who had beaten Haiti in their opener before losing to Morocco, were eliminated after eight World Cup appearances without ever advancing beyond the group stage.
Brazil and Morocco both advance to the round of 32, with the Atlas Lions continuing Africa’s strong showing in the expanded tournament. Scotland’s hopes of breaking their long-standing World Cup record ended in the Florida heat.
FIFA Hands Madibo Five-Match Ban For Tackle That Broke Koné’s Leg
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee issued a five-match suspension to Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo on Wednesday for the tackle that fractured the tibia and fibula of Canada’s Ismaël Koné during Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar in Vancouver on 18 June.
The committee cited serious foul play; the decision is subject to appeal. Madibo, who was shown a straight red card at the time, later visited Koné in hospital.
Qatar were eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday after losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina, meaning the ban rolls over to future FIFA competitions.
The punishment is among the stiffer issued at a World Cup, though it falls short of the nine-match ban given to Uruguay’s Luis Suárez in 2014.
Switzerland Edge Canada to Win Group B; Canada Face South Africa on Sunday
Switzerland beat Canada 3-1 on Wednesday to finish top of Group B, with goals from Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas among the scorers.
Canada, who had crushed Qatar 6-0 in their previous match, finished second and now face South Africa in the round of 32 on Sunday in Inglewood, California. Bosnia-Herzegovina took third place in the group after beating Qatar 3-1.
Canada’s historic group-stage campaign—their first World Cup wins—ends with a meeting against a Bafana Bafana side that has just pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
Mexico complete perfect group stage with 3-0 win over Czechia
Mexico finished their Group A campaign unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over Czechia in Mexico City on Wednesday, extending their record to three wins from three.
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came on as a substitute in the 78th minute, giving the 40-year-old a World Cup appearance at a sixth tournament—a milestone for Mexico’s long-serving shot-stopper.
The co-hosts top Group A and move into the round of 32, where they will face Czechia again—the same opponents they have just beaten—in a second-round tie in Mexico City.
