World Cup 2026: South Africa draw Czechia with late penalty | World Cup 2026 news

South Africa scored a penalty seven minutes from full time they fought back to make it 1-1 and the Czech ⁠Republic at the World Cup after falling behind early in the Group A clash.

Teboho Mokoena conceded as Pavel Sulc’s handball helped the South Africans on Thursday as they looked to be on the brink of an early exit.

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The Czechs took the lead in the sixth minute when Michal Sadilek slotted home after a clever pass from Alexandr ⁠Sojka following Adam Hlozek’s pass from the right wing.

Both teams now have a point after losing their opening games – two behind South Korea and Mexico, who meet later on Thursday.

South Africa then face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on the tough task of playing Mexico in the Estadio Azteca.

Both teams started with disappointing performances and defeats on the opening day of the World Cup, but the Czechs only started to improve.

Patrik Schick is the biggest name in the Czech Republic without a star of previous generations, but the Bayer Leverkusen striker missed a good chance inside the first minute when he headed wide.

Miroslav Koubek’s men only had to wait another five minutes to take the lead.

Adam Hlozek’s cross was brilliantly flicked on by Alexandr Sojka into the path of Sadilek, who calmly stroked the ball past Ronwen Williams.

Now in their fourth attempt, South Africa have not progressed beyond the group stage at the World Cup.

Hugo Broos has overseen Bafana Bafana’s economic turnaround since becoming manager five years ago.

The 2010 hosts had not qualified for the World Cup since 2002, but finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Their return to the rest of the world has shown a lack of quality, though, especially in the frontline areas.

The Czechs were left unable to create more chances to kill off the game early in the second half.

Vladimir Darida took too long to clear his shot with a great chance before Lukas Cerv’s long-range effort was saved by Williams.

There were plenty of empty seats at the show at the future home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, but those in attendance cheered loudly during the halftime break in the closed and airless arena.

The crowd was behind South Africa and they finally had something to cheer about seven minutes from time.

Thapelo Maseko’s shot hit the unfortunate arm of Pavel Sulc, and Tori Penso, a member of the All-Women’s team, pointed the ball straight.

Mokoena bravely scored his first World Cup goal in 16 years.

They came close five minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.

But both sides had to settle for a point that could be crucial at the end of Wednesday’s Group A final.

The coach of the South African team, Hugo Broos, said that it is possible for his team to defeat South Korea and get a chance to go to the boxing group if they repeat their thoughts in the match against Czechia.

“I am very proud of my team. This is Bafana Bafana – we like good football, we are aggressive, we create chances. Yes, we made mistakes, but I am very proud of the way we played today,” he said.

“The Czech team is strong and very tall, we did very well, it’s a little sad that it’s only 1-1, but we have to win the game against South Korea which will be very difficult.

“If we play with the same mindset, it can happen.”

Czech coach Miroslav Koubek said his players could not have given more.

“I think the job is good today,” he told local media.

“I can’t blame these guys for anything, on the contrary, I can praise them.” He gave everything, and sometimes doing that can be successful.”