Teboho Mokoena equalises via a late penalty to salvage a draw for South Africa of their Group A conflict with Czechia.
Printed On 18 Jun 2026
South Africa scored a penalty seven minutes from full-time as they fought back to draw 1-1 with the Czech Republic on the World Cup after falling behind early within the Group A conflict.
Teboho Mokoena slotted dwelling the spot kick after Pavel Sulc’s handball handed the South Africans a lifeline on Thursday as they have been staring at potential early elimination.
Advisable Tales
record of 4 gadgetsfinish of record
The Czechs led from the sixth minute when Michal Sadilek struck dwelling after a intelligent slipped move from Alexandr Sojka following Adam Hlozek’s supply from the fitting wing.
Each groups now have a degree after shedding their respective opening video games – two behind cohosts Mexico and South Korea, who face-off afterward Thursday.
South Africa subsequent face South Korea, whereas the Czech Republic tackle the daunting process of taking part in Mexico within the Estadio Azteca.
Either side began with disappointing performances and defeats on the World Cup’s opening day, however the Czechs rapidly set about making amends.
Patrik Schick is the largest identify in a Czech aspect missing the star high quality of earlier generations however the Bayer Leverkusen ahead missed an excellent probability inside the primary minute when he planted a header large.
Miroslav Koubek’s males solely needed to wait one other 5 minutes to take the lead.
Adam Hlozek’s cross was classily cushioned by Alexandr Sojka into the trail of Sadilek, who calmly stroked the ball previous Ronwen Williams.
Now of their fourth try, South Africa have by no means progressed past the group stage on the World Cup.
Hugo Broos has overseen an upturn in Bafana Bafana’s fortunes since taking cost 5 years in the past.
The 2010 hosts had not certified for the World Cup since 2002 however completed third on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Their return to the worldwide stage has uncovered an absence of high quality, although, notably in ahead areas.
The Czechs have been left to rue not making extra of their probabilities to kill the sport off early within the second half.
Vladimir Darida took too lengthy to get his shot off with a giant probability earlier than Lukas Cerv’s long-range effort was tipped over by Williams.
There have been 1000’s of empty seats on present on the futuristic dwelling of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, however people who have been in attendance loudly booed the mid-half hydration breaks in an enclosed and air-conditioned stadium.
The vast majority of the gang have been backing South Africa and eventually had one thing to cheer seven minutes from time.
Thapelo Maseko’s shot hit the arm of the unlucky Pavel Sulc and referee Tori Penso, a part of an all-female officiating crew, pointed to the spot.
Mokoena confidently drilled dwelling the spot-kick for his nation’s first World Cup purpose in 16 years.
They got here near a second 5 minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.
However each side needed to accept a degree that would but show important come the top of Wednesday’s last Group A video games.
South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos says it’s potential for his aspect to beat South Korea and qualify for the knockout levels in the event that they repeat their mentality from the battling draw with Czechia.
“I’m very pleased with my crew. That is Bafana Bafana – we love good soccer, we’re aggressive, we create probabilities. Sure, we made errors, however I’m very pleased with the efficiency right now,” he stated.
“The Czechia crew is highly effective and really tall. We did very nicely. It’s slightly little bit of a pity that it’s solely 1-1 however we simply need to win the sport in opposition to South Korea, which might be very troublesome too.
“If we play with the identical mentality, it will likely be potential.”
