South Africa make history as Morocco survive scare, Mexico and Brazil finish strong

Photo shows South Africa celebrating Masekos goal © FIFA

By Erick Kariuki
Thursday, June 25, 2026

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South Africa found the decisive moment just after the hour mark. Teshpang Moremi burst down the left and fizzed a pass across the edge of the box for Maseko, who controlled neatly before steering his finish in at the near post.

South Africa made World Cup history as Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike sent Bafana Bafana into the knockout rounds for the first time after a 1-0 win over the Korea Republic in Monterrey.

In a match loaded with tension, neither side could afford a slip, but South Africa found the decisive moment just after the hour mark. Teshpang Moremi burst down the left and fizzed a pass across the edge of the box for Maseko, who controlled neatly before steering his finish in at the near post.

Korea enjoyed more of the ball and threw on Son Heung-min after the break in search of a response, but Hugo Broos’ side held firm to seal a famous victory.

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Wilson Isidor then restored Haiti’s advantage with a thunderous strike, only for Ismael Saibari to equalise again on the stroke of half-time.

That left Morocco with work to do after the break, and they eventually found the control they had been missing. Soufiane Rahimi fired them ahead for the first time in the 78th minute before youngster Gessime Yassine added a late fourth to make sure of the points.

Mexico vs Czechia. (Photo: FIFA)

The win sends Morocco into the knockout rounds as Group C runners-up, but not before Haiti forced them into one of the games of the tournament so far.

Elsewhere, Mexico completed a perfect Group A campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Czechia to book their place in the Round of 32 in style. Mateo Chavez broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second half, Julian Quinones quickly doubled the lead, and Alvaro Fidalgo wrapped it up in stoppage time as the co-hosts made it three wins from three.

The night also brought another huge cheer inside Mexico City as veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came off the bench to make his sixth World Cup appearance. Czechia, meanwhile, bowed out of the tournament.

Cuhna and Bruno Guimares celebrating Brazil's goal. (Photo: FIFA/X)

Brazil were equally ruthless, brushing aside Scotland 3-0 to seal top spot in Group C. Vinicius Junior struck twice, once after capitalising on a defensive mistake and again just before half-time, before Matheus Cunha drilled in a third to put the result beyond doubt.

Scotland had chances of their own, with Alisson Becker denying Lewis Ferguson and Scott McTominay, but Brazil always looked in control. The return of Neymar as a late substitute only added to the feel-good mood for the five-time world champions as they marched into the knockouts with authority.