Heartbreak for Korea Republic, History for South Africa! | 2026 World Cup EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS
South Africa beat Korea Republic 1-0 to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time
This is the extended highlights of the 2026 World Cup Group A decider between South Africa and Korea Republic. South Africa broke through in the second half and held on for a 1-0 win, qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time, while Korea Republic must wait to see if three points are enough.
- The referee deliberately allowed physical challenges and let the game flow rather than whistling every contact. — He did not rule with an iron fist or a whistle, letting the game find its own rhythm, which is what the players want.
- The Korea Republic goalkeeper needed a key save to move on from his earlier mistake, and recovering confidence quickly is crucial for the team's tournament. — After the blow against Mexico, he produced a strong double save to steady himself, showing the mentality needed to move on.
- The Korea Republic forward's runs off the back shoulder were a real threat and their best source of chances at that point. — He ran off the defender's back shoulder to meet a perfect cross with a header that forced a fine save, creating Korea Republic's best chance of the game so far.
- South Africa's success tonight depended on a brave attacking approach, aggressive changes and decisiveness in key moments. — Maseko had already had three or four clear chances and finally converted with a precise left-footed finish that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
South Africa qualified for their first-ever World Cup knockout stage in 2026 with victory over Korea Republic. Watch how it happened with these 10-Minute Highlights. WorldCup SouthAfrica KoreaRepublic 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
What a moment [cheering] here in Montterrey. One final automatic qualifying spot to the round of 32 available from group A. South Africa Career Republic. One last chance that they hope won't become one last match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This well it feels like a knockout game and it really is. before the knockout rounds. Will the sun shine on South Africa tonight or will it be Korea Republic who progressed to the knockout rounds for the first time in consecutive tournaments? >> Such an incredible noise already. Lee Kang stood over this first and very early corner of the game. Height on THE DELIVERY. IT'S HEADED DOWN BY THE CAPTAIN and blocked on the line. Well, they struggled for shots on target through 87 minutes of the defeat to Mexico and are starting with a clear intention of how they mean to go on. That's when one arm raised stood over the corner. It's height on it. The header is away from goal. It's picked up. WILL THE CHANCE OPEN UP? THE DEFLECTION sends it away from the goalkeeper. Chance might open up here. JUST ABOUT KEPT IN PLAY. IT'S FLICKED ON. Still alive. Skims through. And the CHANCE IS NOT PUT AWAY. Lee Kangi. A golden opportunity. Had some promising runs forward. South Africa have never progressed past the group stage. >> Well, interesting to see the freedom of Apollos, the wide left number seven. He's been given that emphasis to pop in the midfield. Look, if he can overload, effectively become a dual 10, but a lot of pressure on Modiva, the number six on this left hand side, who's going to be on the ball right now. This is a ton of space to negotiate by himself. fizzes the ball in and the header wide less than convincing stol from Apoll sent forward by Moroke and a HUGE CHANCE FOR SOUTH AFRICA and an even bigger [cheering] it's a piece of defensive work from Korea Republic to send the ball out of play. Meco charging forward. Changing the corner taker. Maf fizzing the ball in. Buazi. Apollo for goal himself and straight into the chest of the career public keeper. Well, the referee Fagundo is most certainly allowing a certain amount of physicality. That's what players want. He's not ruling with an iron fist. He's not ruling with a whistle. He's allowing the game to find its own rhythm. >> Away to Mabata. Marco shrugs off the pressure, keeps driving forward, runs into traffic, LAYS THE BALL OFF. IT'S A BIG SAVE AND IT'S A HUGE SECOND SAVE. [cheering] WELL, he needed THAT MOMENT AFTER DEVASTATION against Mexico and Kimuku steps up. But would this have been off offside, Brian? >> Yeah, he looked very, very close. It wouldn't matter. Makopa as he tries to get his feet set as quickly as possible right into the hands of Kim. Good strong double save. And to your point, the confidence needed to move on from that early mistake very, very important for the longevity of the tournament. They know though Republic fans that as things stand this is enough goal in the first half would settle some nerves but the GOAL MIGHT GO THE WAY OF SOUTH AFRICA here who strike from distance BUT IT'S HIGH AND overco with a golden opportunity that goes a miss for South Africa. >> Well, excellent unity. What a picture that is. Rotating through the corner takers once again. It's headed away by Lihan Bomb and a connection pour and out. And that will be the last kick of the first half. Goalless between South Africa and Core Republic. So there will be three changes here for Core Republic. Henu coming on and here's the roar for Sun Hume who comes on for Hangi Chaming chasing making his presence felt it. It is South Africa will try and bring the ball up the pitch and a golden opportunity for MECO ONCE AGAIN. CAN HE FIND A WAY THROUGH? HE CAN'T. BIG BLOCK. WELL, he's had plenty of chances but the score line still remains. South Africa nil, Career Republic nil. [cheering] Republic to force the opening goal. And the header is there, but is well saved. Well, it was the best chance of THE GAME SO FAR FOR KOREA REPUBLIC. >> OH, Hung Joe, he's just hunting. He comes off the back shoulder. The service is perfect. More the 25-year-old, he makes his debut in the tournament. Another goal update here in the stadium. Mexico now up 2-0 over Chetchia. [cheering] And that is the noise in the Estadio Montter. And no doubt there'll be another roar if that goal is shown. But it is South Africa trying to find a way forward. It's fallen once again to MSO [screaming] and this time it sticks. CHANCE AFTER CHANCE AFTER CHANCE. [cheering] And now the goal and just look at the celebrations for South Africa. [cheering] Their hopes reignited through the man doing all the work through the first 62 minutes of this game. [cheering] [screaming] Now we knew the success for Bufffana Buffana tonight was dependent on a brave approach in the attacking phase of play. The changes, the aggressiveness, and the moments of decisiveness. He's had chances. Make no mistake about it, Maseco. Three to four very clear opportunities. Preferred left foot. This time he takes advantage of the substitute. Yens Castro. He tries to go big and wide. Tries to knock down that shot. He's got the placement, the accuracy, and nothing the goalkeeper can do about it. And look at the emotion, not just from the manager. >> Well, just look at that. [cheering] >> Ferno Bafana lead the way in Montteré. >> [cheering] >> through Depalo Matco and now South Africa have their goal [cheering] hanging bomb. The curling ball headed back into the mix and out for a corner. Well, they are fighting all the way to the line. [cheering] Here comes the corner in swinging and once again out muscled in the box. Career Republic. Will the space open up here for Castrop? Castrop. OH, IT'S A GOOD BALL. IT'S ALMOST SPILLED BY THE goalkeeper and Ronwin Williams ensuring that the SCORE LINE REMAINS. SOUTH AFRICA won Career Republic nil. The ball is long from the goalkeeper. It's headed into space occupied by South Africa. Rainers. There's room to run in. He's given license to here. The deflection is helpful for South Africa, but the reaction was quick. [cheering] Time is nearly up. From the depths of despair, SOUTH AFRICA QUALIFY FOR THE KNOCKOUT ROUNDS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN their history. The Rapid Retirement Party is on hold. Hugo Bruce will be ON THE TOUCH LINE ONCE again [cheering] and it will be against Canada on Sunday in Los Angeles. Heartbreak for Korea Republic. They will have to wait. Three points. Will it be enough? THAT IS THE QUESTION. >> But what a story. WHAT A ROLLER COASTER.