▲ The match between South Africa and the Czech Republic on June 18, local time
South Africa, the third group stage opponent of the South Korean national football team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, secured one point against the Czech Republic.
The South African national team drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic in their second Group A match of the World Cup group stage, held at Atlanta Stadium in the United States today (June 19).
South Africa, which lost 0-2 to Mexico in the tournament's opening match on June 12, remained at the bottom of Group A despite earning one point.
South Africa will play its third match against South Korea, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on June 25.
The Czech Republic, which suffered a 1-2 comeback defeat against South Korea in their first match, failed to hold onto their lead once again, having to settle for a draw that felt like a defeat.
South Korea and Mexico, both having secured three points with wins in their opening matches, are scheduled to face each other at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico starting at 10 a.m. today.
South Africa, which suffered a heavy defeat with two players sent off in the opening match against Mexico, left forward Lyle Foster, who plays for Burnley in England, on the bench and started Iqraam Rayners, Oswin Appollis, and Thapelo Maseko at the forefront of their attack.
The defense faced the Czech Republic with a back four instead of the back three used in the match against Mexico.
For the Czech Republic, star forward Patrik Schick started upfront following the South Korea match, partnering with Adam Hlozek, while utilizing a back-three defense anchored by 'captain' Ladislav Krejci, who scored in the match against South Korea.
The Czech Republic opened the scoring just six minutes into the match.
From the right flank, Hlozek's cross was connected by Alexandr Sojka at the penalty arc, and midfielder Michal Sadilek finished it with his left foot inside the penalty area to score the opening goal.
South Africa pushed their lines up to launch a counterattack but failed to equalize, and faced further trouble with a card booking in the 33rd minute of the first half.
Starting midfielder Teboho Mokoena received a yellow card in the 33rd minute for a reckless tackle on Czech Republic's Lukas Cerv, ruling him out of the third match against South Korea due to yellow card accumulation.
During first-half stoppage time, South Africa's Maseko broke through on the right and crossed, which Aubrey Modiba connected with another cross, only to be blocked by Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar. Maseko's subsequent left-footed turning shot was blocked by Krejci's foot, leaving South Africa trailing at the end of the first half.
In the second half, South Africa dominated the game by actively utilizing substitutions, including replacing Rayners with Evidence Makgopa, and finally bore fruit near the end of the match.
In the 81st minute, a powerful shot by Maseko from the right side of the penalty area hit the hand of Czech Republic's Pavel Sulc, resulting in a penalty kick for a handball foul.
Mokoena, who is suspended for the next match, stepped up as the penalty taker and cleanly converted it with his right foot, scoring the equalizer to make up for his disappointment.
Afterward, both teams exchanged fierce attacks, but neither side could find a winner, with Sulc's left-footed shot from the left of the penalty arc in stoppage time shaving just wide of the right post.
The match, which featured a clash between Czech coach Miroslav Koubek (born September 1951), the second-oldest coach in World Cup history, and South Africa coach Hugo Broos (born April 1952), the third-oldest, also drew attention for its officiating crew.
American referee Tori Penso became the second female referee in history to officiate a men's World Cup match, with assistant referees Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt (both from the U.S.), who are also female, assisting her.
According to FIFA, a crowd of 67,442 attended the match at the 68,239-capacity Atlanta Stadium.
(Photo: Getty Images Korea)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.