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South Africa advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time with a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Wednesday night.
Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute after a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi and South Africa finished second in Group A behind Mexico, which won all three of its group matches.
South Africa will face Canada, second in Group B, in a knockout match on Sunday in Inglewood, California.
Bafana Bafana failed to advance from the group stage in 1998, 2002 and as hosts in 2010.
South Africa opened its World Cup with a 2-0 loss to Mexico before using a late goal to draw 1-1 with the Czech Republic. They entered their final group stage match behind Mexico and favored South Korea before stunning the Taegeuk Warriors.
South Korea opened this World Cup with a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic and lost to Mexico 1-0 in their second match. The Taegeuk Warriors could still advance in the tournament, depending on the results of other games this week.
South Korea became the first Asian team to reach the knockout round in 2002, when they finished fourth overall. The Taegeuk Warriors also made it past the group stage in 2022 and 2010, reaching the round of 16 both times.
Information from The Associated Press.
