FIFA World Cup Group A LIVE: Korea Republic and South Africa Clash for a Knockout Stage Berth

South Africa's Maseko has stunned South Korea with a fine goal in this critical FIFA World Cup 2026 group fixture. The Koreans need only a point to book their last-sixteen spot, while South Africa must claim all three to guarantee they avoid elimination. Both sides are locked in a tense battle as the game enters its closing stages.

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Full time

Key Updates 3

78:02 Yellow Card
72:07 Yellow Card
49:07 First Half Over

June 25, 2026 08:24
Corner
92:21 — Ronwen Williams Pulls Off a Sharp Save to Deny Park Jin-Seob
Jens Castrop delivered a cross into the box and Park Jin-Seob attacked it with a header from the left side of the six-yard area, directing the ball toward the top-left corner — but South Africa's goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was equal to it, getting across sharply to make the save.
June 25, 2026 08:22
Corner
91:38 — Korea Republic Claim a Corner Kick
Korea Republic were awarded a corner after Yaya Sithole gave it away.
June 25, 2026 08:22
90:04 — Fourth Official Signals Six Minutes of Added Time
The fourth official has held up the board indicating that six additional minutes will be played beyond the full ninety.
June 25, 2026 08:20
87:53 — Son Heung-Min's Left-Footed Drive Blocked
Son Heung-Min received the ball from Kim Jin-Gyu and unleashed a left-footed effort from outside the penalty area, but a South Africa player got in the way and blocked the shot before it could reach the goalkeeper.
June 25, 2026 08:18
Free Kick
86:06 — Jens Castrop Penalised for a Foul
Jens Castrop was penalised for a foul, handing South Africa a free kick.
June 25, 2026 08:17
Free Kick
86:06 — Evidence Makgopa Draws a Foul in the Attacking Half
Evidence Makgopa was brought down in South Africa's attacking half, winning his side a free kick in a promising position.
June 25, 2026 08:17
Corner
85:32 — Seol Young-Woo Fires Over After Corner
Seol Young-Woo picked up the ball outside the box following a corner and connected with his right foot, but the effort flew well over the bar and wide of the target.
June 25, 2026 08:16
Corner
85:15 Corner
Korea Republic are awarded a corner kick at the 85-minute mark, with Jayden Adams the player responsible for conceding it.
June 25, 2026 08:15
Corner
84:14 Corner
Korea Republic win another corner at 84 minutes, this one given away by Yaya Sithole.
June 25, 2026 08:14
Free Kick
82:09 Free Kick Won
Park Jin-Seob of Korea Republic is awarded a free kick inside his own defensive half at 82 minutes.
June 25, 2026 08:13
Free Kick
82:09 Free Kick Lost
The free kick is the result of a foul committed by Tshepang Moremi of South Africa.
June 25, 2026 08:10
79:50 Substitution
South Africa make a change just shy of the 80th minute, bringing Jayden Adams on to replace Relebohile Mofokeng.
June 25, 2026 08:10
Yellow Card
78:02 Yellow Card
Cho Gue-Sung of Korea Republic picks up a yellow card at 78 minutes after a reckless challenge earns him a booking.
June 25, 2026 08:10
Free Kick
78' Free Kick Lost
Korea Republic's Cho Gue-Sung is penalised for a foul, gifting South Africa a set piece opportunity.
June 25, 2026 08:10
Free Kick
78' Free Kick Won
Yaya Sithole of South Africa earns a free kick out wide on the left flank at 78 minutes.
June 25, 2026 08:08
Free Kick
77:13 Free Kick Won
Tshepang Moremi of South Africa wins a free kick in the defensive third of the field at 77 minutes.
June 25, 2026 08:08
Free Kick
77:13 Free Kick Lost
Lee Han-Beom of Korea Republic is penalised, handing the free kick to South Africa.
June 25, 2026 08:07
Free Kick
75:55 Free Kick Lost
South Africa's Khuliso Mudau is penalised for a foul, surrendering the free kick.
June 25, 2026 08:07
Free Kick
75:55 Free Kick Won
Son Heung-Min of Korea Republic is awarded a free kick on the left wing at 75 minutes.
June 25, 2026 08:06
Corner
75:13 Corner
Korea Republic win a corner kick at 75 minutes, with Aubrey Modiba the player who conceded it.
June 25, 2026 08:06
74:41 Substitution
South Africa make another tactical change at 74 minutes, sending on Iqraam Rayners in place of Thapelo Maseko.
June 25, 2026 08:04
73:56 Substitution
Korea Republic make their substitution just before the 74-minute mark, with Cho Gue-Sung coming on to replace Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
June 25, 2026 08:04
Yellow Card
72:07 Yellow Card
Aubrey Modiba of South Africa is shown a yellow card at 72 minutes after a heavy foul earns him a caution.
June 25, 2026 08:02
Free Kick
71:52 Free Kick Won
Lee Kang-In of Korea Republic picks up a free kick on the right flank at 71 minutes.
June 25, 2026 08:02
Free Kick
71:52 Free Kick Lost
Aubrey Modiba of South Africa is penalised for a foul, conceding the free kick to Korea Republic.
June 25, 2026 08:02
70:45 End Delay
The drinks break is over and both teams are ready to get back to action.
June 25, 2026 08:02
68:07 Start Delay
Play is briefly halted at the 68th minute for a scheduled drinks break.
June 25, 2026 07:59
Free Kick
68:02 | Maseko Awarded Free Kick in Defensive Half
South Africa's Thapelo Maseko picks up a free kick for his side in their own defensive half.
June 25, 2026 07:59
Free Kick
68:02 | Castrop Penalised Once More
Jens Castrop of Korea Republic gives away another foul.
June 25, 2026 07:57
65:18 | Korea Republic Swap Kim Min-Jae for Park Jin-Seob
Korea Republic make a change, withdrawing Kim Min-Jae from the field and sending on Park Jin-Seob as his replacement.
June 25, 2026 07:57
Free Kick
64:46 | Castrop Concedes Foul
Korea Republic's Jens Castrop is penalised for a foul.
June 25, 2026 07:57
Free Kick
64:46 | Mudau Wins Free Kick
South Africa's Khuliso Mudau is awarded a free kick in his own defensive half.
June 25, 2026 07:53
Corner
62:17 | GOAL! South Africa Take the Lead Through Maseko
South Africa have the lead! Thapelo Maseko fires a left-footed effort from the middle of the penalty area into the bottom right corner — South Africa 1, Korea Republic 0. The move originates from a blistering counter-attack, with substitute Tshepang Moremi, barely minutes after coming on, delivering the crucial assist.
June 25, 2026 07:52
61:38 | South Africa Substitute: Moremi Replaces Appollis
South Africa make a change, bringing Tshepang Moremi into the action in place of Oswin Appollis.
June 25, 2026 07:52
Corner
59:54 | Williams Denies Oh Hyeon-Gyu with Sharp Save
South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams pulls off a fine stop, pushing away Oh Hyeon-Gyu's header directed into the bottom left corner. Korea Republic's Oh connected with a cross delivered by Seol Young-Woo to head from the heart of the penalty area.
June 25, 2026 07:50
Free Kick
58:10 Free Kick Earned
Hwang In-Beom of Korea Republic secures a free kick for his side in their own defensive half.
June 25, 2026 07:49
Free Kick
58:10 Foul Committed
Evidence Makgopa of South Africa gives away a foul.
June 25, 2026 07:45
Free Kick
53:36 Foul Conceded
Oswin Appollis of South Africa is penalized for a foul.
June 25, 2026 07:45
Free Kick
53:36 Free Kick Awarded
Seol Young-Woo of Korea Republic earns a free kick for his team in the defensive half.
June 25, 2026 07:42
50:15 Shot Goes Wide
Thalente Mbatha of South Africa fires a right-footed effort from beyond the penalty area, but the ball drifts wide to the right of goal. The move was set up by Yaya Sithole.
June 25, 2026 07:42
50:05 Shot Blocked
Thapelo Maseko of South Africa unleashes a left-footed strike from the heart of the penalty area, only for it to be blocked. The chance had been created by Relebohile Mofokeng.
June 25, 2026 07:36
Kick Off
45' Second Half Underway
The second half is now underway, with the scoreline still reading South Africa 0, Korea Republic 0.
June 25, 2026 07:36
45' Substitution
Korea Republic make a change at the interval — Jens Castrop comes on as Lee Tae-Seok is withdrawn.
June 25, 2026 07:36
45' Substitution
Another half-time change for Korea Republic — Kim Jin-Gyu comes on to replace Paik Seung-Ho.
June 25, 2026 07:35
45' Key Change: Son Heung-Min Enters
Korea Republic make a significant half-time switch, introducing Son Heung-Min to the action in place of Hwang Hee-Chan.
June 25, 2026 07:19
Half Time
49:07 First Half Over
That brings the first half to a close — South Africa 0, Korea Republic 0, with neither side having found the net.
June 25, 2026 07:19
Corner
49:03 Attempt Misses
Aubrey Modiba of South Africa gets a left-footed shot away from outside the area following a corner kick, but the effort misses to the right.
June 25, 2026 07:19
Corner
48:28 Corner Kick
South Africa win a corner kick, conceded by Lee Tae-Seok.
June 25, 2026 07:17
Offside
46:26 Offside
South Africa's attacking move is cut short as Evidence Makgopa is flagged offside.
June 25, 2026 07:16
45:05 Added Time Signalled
The fourth official indicates that 4 minutes of stoppage time will be added to the end of the first half.
June 25, 2026 07:14
Offside
43:37 Offside
South Africa's attack is checked as Aubrey Modiba is caught in an offside position.
June 25, 2026 07:14
42:26 Shot Blocked
Thapelo Maseko of South Africa tries a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it is blocked. Relebohile Mofokeng had provided the assist.
June 25, 2026 07:12
41:30 Shot Misses Target
Relebohile Mofokeng of South Africa lets fly with a right-footed effort from outside the box after a set piece situation, but the shot drifts wide to the right. Ime Okon had created the opening.
June 25, 2026 07:12
Free Kick
40:27 Foul Given Away
Lee Gi-Hyuk of Korea Republic concedes a foul.
June 25, 2026 07:12
Free Kick
40:27 Free Kick Won
Thapelo Maseko of South Africa wins a free kick out on the right flank.
June 25, 2026 07:12
Free Kick
39:39 | Hwang Hee-Chan Gives Away Foul
Korea Republic's Hwang Hee-Chan is penalised for a foul.
June 25, 2026 07:10
Free Kick
39:39 | Mudau Earns Free Kick in Own Half
South Africa's Khuliso Mudau is awarded a free kick in his own half.
June 25, 2026 07:09
38:16 | Maseko's Long-Range Effort Flies Over
South Africa's Thapelo Maseko gets a shooting opportunity following a quick counter-attack set up by Relebohile Mofokeng, but his left-footed strike from outside the box sails well over the crossbar.
June 25, 2026 07:05
Free Kick
35:03 Free Kick Earned in Defensive Half
Lee Kang-In of Korea Republic wins a free kick for his side in their own defensive half of the pitch.
June 25, 2026 07:05
Free Kick
35:03 Sithole Penalized for Foul
Yaya Sithole of South Africa is penalized for a foul, handing the free kick over to the opposition.
June 25, 2026 07:04
33:40 Hwang Hee-Chan's Long-Range Drive Narrowly Misses
Hwang Hee-Chan of Korea Republic struck a right-footed effort from beyond the penalty area that shaved just past the left post. Kim Min-Jae provided the assist.
June 25, 2026 07:03
Free Kick
33:11 Korea Republic Win Free Kick in Attacking Territory
Seol Young-Woo of Korea Republic picks up a free kick for his side in the opponents' half of the field.
June 25, 2026 07:03
Free Kick
33:11 Thalente Mbatha Gives Away Free Kick with Foul
Thalente Mbatha of South Africa is pulled up for a foul, surrendering a free kick to the opposition.
June 25, 2026 07:02
29:49 Kim Seung-Gyu Denies Makgopa from Inside the Box
Evidence Makgopa of South Africa drove a left-footed attempt from the heart of the box, but Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu held it firmly in the centre of his goal.
June 25, 2026 07:02
29:46 Kim Seung-Gyu Parries Mbatha's Strike from Distance
Thalente Mbatha of South Africa tried his luck with a left-footed shot from outside the area, only for Korea Republic's Kim Seung-Gyu to claim it in the middle of his goal. Thapelo Maseko was the provider.
June 25, 2026 06:56
Corner
26:19 Corner Kick Awarded to Korea Republic
Korea Republic are awarded a corner kick, with Relebohile Mofokeng having conceded it.
June 25, 2026 06:56
25:30 Play Resumes After Interruption
The brief stoppage is over and both teams are back on the pitch ready to resume action.
June 25, 2026 06:53
22:12 Match Paused for a Drinks Break
Play has been temporarily halted to allow players on both sides to take a drinks break.
June 25, 2026 06:53
Offside
21:54 Makgopa Flagged for Offside
Evidence Makgopa of South Africa is caught offside, cutting short what could have been a dangerous South African move.
June 25, 2026 06:51
19:14 Kim Seung-Gyu Keeps Out Appollis Effort
Oswin Appollis of South Africa fired a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but Korea Republic keeper Kim Seung-Gyu gathered it comfortably in the centre of his goal. The chance was created by Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
June 25, 2026 06:51
18:22 Maseko's Left-Footed Shot Blocked Inside the Box
Thapelo Maseko of South Africa got a left-footed attempt away from inside the box, but a Korean defender stepped in to block it. Relebohile Mofokeng had set up the opportunity.
June 25, 2026 06:49
Corner
18:22 South Africa Awarded a Corner
South Africa earn a corner kick, which was conceded by Lee Gi-Hyuk.
June 25, 2026 06:46
Free Kick
14:48 Lee Tae-Seok Concedes Free Kick with Foul
Lee Tae-Seok of Korea Republic is penalized for a foul, handing South Africa a free kick.
June 25, 2026 06:46
Free Kick
14:48 Maseko Wins Free Kick on the Right Flank
Thapelo Maseko of South Africa earns a free kick for his side out on the right wing.
June 25, 2026 06:44
13:51 Makgopa Heads Wide from a Promising Position
Evidence Makgopa of South Africa directed a header from the centre of the box, but it drifted to the right of the target. Aubrey Modiba had delivered the cross to create the chance.
June 25, 2026 06:38
6:59 Oh Hyeon-Gyu Squanders Early Chance from Close Range
Oh Hyeon-Gyu of Korea Republic found himself in an excellent position on the right side of the six-yard box and struck right-footed, but his effort slipped beyond the left post. Seol Young-Woo had delivered the cross to create the opening.
June 25, 2026 06:38
7:03 | Lee Kang-In Shoots Wide Right
Korea Republic's Lee Kang-In, set up by Lee Tae-Seok, gets a left-footed attempt from the centre of the box but sees the ball drift past the right post.
June 25, 2026 06:36
Corner
5:37 | South Africa Win Another Corner
South Africa are awarded another corner kick in quick succession after Kim Min-Jae concedes.
June 25, 2026 06:36
5:35 | Mofokeng Attempt Blocked
South Africa's Relebohile Mofokeng unleashes a left-footed effort from outside the penalty area, but the shot is blocked before it can reach the goal.
June 25, 2026 06:35
Corner
5:01 | Corner for South Africa
South Africa earn a corner in the fifth minute after Lee Tae-Seok is judged to have conceded it.
June 25, 2026 06:34
Free Kick
2:50 | Maseko Wins Free Kick in Attacking Territory
South Africa's Thapelo Maseko picks up a free kick in the attacking half early in the game.
June 25, 2026 06:34
Free Kick
2:50 | Lee Tae-Seok Concedes Free Kick
Lee Tae-Seok of Korea Republic is penalised for a foul in the early exchanges.
June 25, 2026 06:32
1:48 | Kim Min-Jae Header Blocked
Korea Republic's Kim Min-Jae meets a Lee Kang-In cross with a header from the middle of the box, but the attempt is blocked.
June 25, 2026 06:31
Corner
1:17 | Early Corner for Korea Republic
Korea Republic earn a corner in the opening minute after Khuliso Mudau is adjudged to have conceded.
June 25, 2026 06:31
Kick Off
Kick-Off: First Half Begins
The referee blows the whistle and the first half gets underway.
June 25, 2026 05:08
Starting XIs Confirmed, Players Going Through Pre-Match Warm-Up
Both nations have named their starting elevens and the players are now out on the pitch completing their pre-match warm-up routines.