The second round of the 2026 World Cup opened in Atlanta with a 1-1 draw between Czech Republic and South Africa, a result that gave both sides their first point but left them in third and fourth place in the group. The Czech team, especially, missed a chance to take control after also losing its opening match to South Korea.
After that defeat, Czech coach Miroslav Koubek made five changes to his lineup and left both key players, Tomas Soucek and Pavel Schulz, on the bench. Czech Republic started aggressively and went ahead in the sixth minute when Michal Sadilek scored with a low left-footed shot past Ronwen Williams.
Instead of pressing for a second goal, the Czechs dropped back, allowing South Africa to grow into the match. The equalizer came in the 83rd minute, when substitute Schulz handled the ball inside the box. Veteran Thabo Mokoena converted the penalty, scoring Bafana Bafana’s first World Cup goal since 2010.
The draw prevents South Africa from being eliminated tonight after the match between the group leaders, Mexico and South Korea. South Africa will close the group stage against South Korea in Monterrey next week without Mokoena, who is suspended for yellow-card accumulation. Czech Republic will face Mexico, and both teams now must win to advance, or they will likely be knocked out.
