Mokoena Saves Bafana Bafana | Czechia v South Africa | 2026 World Cup EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS
Mokoena's penalty rescues South Africa in a 1-1 draw with Czech Republic
This video recaps the World Cup group-stage highlights between Czech Republic and South Africa. Patrik Schick gave Czech Republic the lead, Mokoena equalized from the penalty spot, and the teams drew 1-1 for a point apiece; the commentary stresses that both needed a result and that South Africa's penalty kept their hopes alive.
- Both teams needed a result here and had to respond immediately after opening defeats — Both lost their first game, and South Africa were coming off a difficult night against Mexico with no room for another slip
- The creativity Czechia lacked in their first match was on full display here, with the goal showing movement, precise passing and a clean finish — The move down the line involved several players, and the weight of the entry pass made the finish straightforward
- A Czech chance could have been a turning point, and South Africa's block was crucial, with Williams tracking the ball all the way — Defenders crowded the shooting lane and made a key block, while Williams stayed alert to the moving ball
- South Africa had to score the penalty to level in Atlanta and keep their World Cup hopes alive — They were behind and this was the crucial moment to stay in the tournament, with Mokoena stepping up under pressure
- Mokoena carried the weight of a nation and a continent in the biggest moment, making amends for earlier misses and keeping South Africa's dream alive — He had missed several penalties before, and the goalkeeper knew his favored side, yet he still converted calmly
- South Africa came alive in the second half and are still alive for now, but their fate depends on later results — They earned their first point in Group A, which only keeps their hopes temporarily alive
10-Minute Highlights: South Africa's FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes stayed alive thanks to a dramatic late intervention from Teboho Mokoena in the second round of Group A fixtures. WorldCup SouthAfrica WorldCup2026 FIFA World Cup: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/fifaworldcup 👉 https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup 👉 https://www.facebook.com/fifaworldcup 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@fifaworldcup 👉 https://www.threads.com/@fifaworldcup 👉 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb78sHK30LKMhYZAwQ3i FIFA Women’s World Cup: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/fifawomensworldcup 👉 https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC 👉 https://www.facebook.com/fifawomensworldcup 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@fifawomensworldcup 👉 https://www.threads.com/@fifawomensworldcup 👉 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBedar4yltLthnZzT16 FIFA Club Football: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/fifaclubfootball/ 👉 https://twitter.com/FIFACF 👉 https://www.facebook.com/fifaclubfootball 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@fifaclubfootball 👉 https://www.threads.com/@fifaclubfootball 👉 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb8ijen6GcG8v4EXmW25
Transcript
Czech here and South Africa arriving bruised from their opening defeats. For Czech here, it's been 20 long years since their last World Cup appearance, and they know they need a lift in this noon showdown here in Atlanta. And South Africa step out with their own scars to heal. Here we go in Atlanta. Both Czech here and South Africa need a result here. Beaten in game one, the response now is essential. Czech here in their first World Cup since 2006, and they cannot afford another slip. And South Africa first appearance since 2010, and after that tough night against Mexico, they know they must steady themselves quickly. And either side wants to head home early. That is for sure. Here is Patrick Schick at the switch, out to the left side. And Czech here looking to get onto the front foot very, very quickly indeed. Uh Test here maybe. Oh, and the header down is a free one. This may be for Patrick Schick. The freedom of all of Atlanta there. Should have been doing more. That's Souček. Wants to dig out a cross. MAY WORK OUT. IT HAS DONE. SCHICK HERE SCHICK. >> [cheering] >> JUST THE START THAT CZECH HERE WERE CRAVING. How they needed A RESPONSE. HOW THEY NEED A WIN, BOTH OF THESE TWO. BUT IT'S ADVANTAGE CZECH HERE. >> The creativity that was lacking in match day one for a Czech here up is on full display. ALL BACK IN THROUGH AT ITS FINEST. Schick here Schick makes the long run over to celebrate with the bench and knowing just how important the first goal was in this match. But the way in which Czechia works this down the line. Movement from several players. The weight on this entry pass into Sedilek is sublime. It's just the simplest of throw-ins, but it's so smart to be able to stay in behind from Loučka. The weight on this pass is perfect. It just makes the decision for Sedilek. With this amount of precision, this amount of class on the entry pass in. That's a wonderful finish and just the start Czechia were hoping for. >> And just his second international goal for Czechia. MOKOENA APOLISI OH! Side netting from the deflection. Some thought it was in. I thought that might have been in. >> This just took a wicked deflection. It looked like it was starting off heading one direction. It goes the other way. >> [applause and cheering] >> A roar behind South Africa here to make something happen. Morena's It's a great touch. Brings others into play. There's the cut back and it's cleared away. Chevr right there where it needed to be. >> That's something that will get the Bafana Bafana fans off their seats. A little bit of endeavor and ingenuity to go one-v-one. >> Here's Modiba though, found well. Mokoena! Now that would have been special. >> Good conviction on on from Mokwena, Mokwena, excuse me. >> Maybe one last go for South Africa before the break. MOTIBA OH, BUT HE'S SPILLED BY KOUASSI. A CRAZY WITH A captain's block. Nervy moments right at the end for Czech Republic. And that is that. Only attempt on target in the game so far for Czech Republic through Sedilek on six minutes the difference. Czech Republic one, South Africa nil in this must-win game for both. Just to bring it down under control here in the ball out of the air. Czech Republic in possession here. Oh, sir, a touch on from Schick and Sedilek. AND THIS IS DORIDA. OH, three in the way. Could have been a big TURNING POINT. SCHICK and tipped over by Ronwen Williams. But the biggest chance was for Dorida. >> This is such an important block. That's so well defended by Mlungwana and then the trailing run of Okon to be able to come back and make this intervention. Ronwen Williams is watching this and tracking it the whole way, but it's moving from one way or another. >> Top of the end here at the Atlanta Stadium where there's a good amount of support for Czech Republic. Oh, the header and for Patrik Schick. And when it is going right would be gobbling those up. Oh, be careful here, Czech Republic, inviting pressure onto them. Modau, can he get in behind? Sedilek has done really well there. He'll have felt the breath on the back of his neck. Soucek, oh, it's a tremendous ball in as well. >> What a clearance. >> That was so important for Hlatshwayo. >> Wow, this was so so good to be able to clear that away. >> Here it comes again and the header is over as uh a lot of players down. Khune knows how to hit the ball first. Mokwena Maseko Coming inside. Maseko was traveling. He's asking FOR A HANDBALL. PENALTY! PENALTY SOUTH AFRICA! AN immediate appeal. Tshabalala took his time. What a moment this could be for South Africa to keep their World Cup alive. >> Mokwena is standing with the ball in this end of the penalty spot. He is two for his last five. He's missed three. The three that he's missed have all gone to the goalkeeper's right. The two that he's made has gone to the goalkeeper's left. >> This to level in Atlanta. And for South Africa, this has to go in. MOKWENA PUTS IT IN THE CORNER. THEY ARE STILL ALIVE IN THIS WORLD CUP. 1-1 >> [cheering] >> SOUTH AFRICA IS A COUNTRY that dares to dream. And Mokwena HAS KEPT THE DREAM ALIVE FOR SOUTH AFRICA. >> [cheering] >> THE HOMEWORK WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. The goalkeeper, Matvei Igonen, knew that Makou Wena had success going to the goalkeeper's left. The three misses have made amends IN THE BIGGEST OF MOMENTS. THE WEIGHT OF A NATION, THE WEIGHT OF A CONTINENT ON HIS SHOULDERS, and he dispatches it expertly. >> Well, they don't know it's the rainbow nation. I might have just added a bit more color back to their World Cup adventure. South Africa here. Makou Wena, they are going to go direct now. Oh, and just about holding it, Igonen. It's Tshepo Lebese. It would have been uh quite the introduction. Shoots. Shik in the center. Shoots now. Oh, and that was Shik. And Makazi there again. And they've switched sides. And Makazi and Inimy Okon. >> [cheering] >> MAKOPA, BRILLIANTLY DONE, MAKOPA. WELL, THAT WOULD HAVE CAPPED OFF >> A brilliant passing sequence from South Africa. >> Here comes South Africa again, giving everything in the second half. Motau, on he goes, Makopa. Mofokeng to BE QUITE THE FINISH. AND BLOCKED. GOODNESS ME. So many red shirts in the way. It was David Zuma. And that is that. Well, a second half that came to life. And for Kobek, for Jackie for South Africa, they're still alive for now in this World Cup. A point a piece, their first points on the boards in Group A, but they will wait to see what happens later as well. >> And the