South Africa v South Korea
Play By Play
The full-time whistle sparks jubilation on the South Africa bench as Hugo Broos' side progress to the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 win over South Korea. It was Maseko who rose on 63 minutes to secure the three points for his side with a clinical left-footed finish. And it was the least South Africa deserved after soaking up some early pressure against a South Korea side severely lacking in inspiration. Myung-Bo Hong's men recorded 68.4% of possession across the 90 minutes, yet could only manage exactly one xG compared to the 1.1 put up by their South African counterparts. The win sees South Africa finish in second place on four points to setup a round of 32 meeting with Canada, leaving them five behind group-toppers Mexico, who ran out 3-0 winners over Czechia in Mexico City. South Korea still have a chance of reaching the knockouts as one of the best third-placed sides, but their fate now lies in the hands of others after a disappointing display in Guadalupe. That's all for this one, thanks for joining us!
FULL-TIME: SOUTH AFRICA 1-0 SOUTH KOREA
Gi-Hyuk has plenty of time and space to get his head up and launch the ball in the box, yet his attempted cross is abysmal and South Africa hook it clear again. They're so, so close now.
Now it's South Africa who enjoy a spell on the ball as they look to protect their 1-0 lead. They've been absolutely brilliant tonight, but still have some work to do yet before the celebrations can start. South Korea look to have ran out of ideas.
South Korea win a corner down the left, which is taken by Kang-In, but the cross is headed well clear again. More resolute defending from South Africa who are hanging on here.
South Korea have had 69.3% of possession tonight, yet they've recorded just 0.63 xG so far. South Africa have defended brilliantly, particularly after taking the lead.
There will be SIX minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half. Still time for one more twist...
South Africa have faced just five shots so far tonight. They have finished a World Cup match having faced fewer than nine shots just once (five vs Slovenia in 2002). That says it all about South Korea's performance in the final third.
South Korea finally get a shot off as Mbatha can only partially clear Son's cross. The ball then falls to Young-Woo on the edge of the box, but his follow-up effort is a wild one and the ball sails high into the crowd. It's going to have to get better than that if they're to claw their way back into the automatic qualification spots.
South Africa continue to soak up the South Korea pressure as the final minutes approach. A round of 32 meeting with Canada awaits for Bofana Bofana, providing they're able to see this one out.
South Korea haven't had a shot since the 60th minute. They've looked so, so tame in the final third tonight.
Maseko’s opening goal was the first World Cup goal ever scored by a player who plays for a club team in Cyprus. It could also be the goal which sees South Africa qualify for the knockouts for the first time in the competition's history, if they can hold on to their lead...
South Africa make another substitution, with Adams coming on for Mofokeng.
South Korea's Cho is shown a yellow for a high challenge on Sithole. That was always going to end in a booking.
There's still a striking lack of urgency in South Korea's play. They're seeing a lot of the ball, but are unable to find a way past the deep South Africa defence. Time is running out here.
South Africa also make a switch, as goalscorer Maseko is replaced by Rayners.
South Korea make another change as Cho replaces Oh.
South Africa's Modiba is shown the first yellow card of the evening for a late challenge on Kang-In.
South Korea have made 24 final third entries since the break, which is exactly double the 12 put up by South Africa, yet it's the latter who have looked by far the more dangerous of the two sides so far tonight.
Play is halted again for the second hydration break of the game. The timing might suit South Korea, who need to get a grip of this match if they're to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. They've managed to record just one shot since the break, though, and are facing a team in South Africa who have never lost a World Cup match in which they have held a lead (W2, D2 prior to today)...
Mexico's commanding 2-0 lead over Czechia means all eyes are on this one to determine who proceeds to the knockouts in second place. At the moment it'll be South Africa, but a South Korea equaliser will change everything again. A HUGE 20 minutes lie ahead for both of these sides.
Remarkably, the last 11 goals scored by South Africa at the World Cup have been scored by 11 different players. And what a crucial strike that could be from Maseko...
South Korea make another change as Park replaces Kim.
All of a sudden it's South Korea with it all to do as they find themselves in third on three points. That probably isn't going to be enough to reach the knockouts, but an equaliser will leave them in pole position for a second-placed finish again. But will they be able to find a breakthrough?
Moremi has only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, but he does brilliantly well to pick out Maseko in the box before the latter finishes clinically with his left. What a twist!
