Group A at the 2026 World Cup ended overnight with major drama, as South Africa, which began the final round bottom of the group, produced a historic 1-0 win over South Korea to reach the knockout stage for the first time in its history. Mexico also finished the group stage unbeaten, beating Czech Republic 3-0 to keep a perfect record.
Against South Korea, who pressed from the start, South Africa survived an early scare when Aubrey Modiba cleared a Kim Min-jae header off the line in the third minute. The Koreans kept missing chances, and South Africa punished them in the second half. Thabang Maseko scored in the 63rd minute after being set up by Themba Morimi, who had come on just a minute earlier, sending thousands of African fans in Monterrey into celebration. South Korea pushed hard in the final 20 minutes, but South Africa held firm behind goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. The result moved South Africa into second place in the group and into a round-of-32 clash with Canada in California.
Mexico had already secured qualification before kickoff, but finished in style with a 3-0 win in Mexico City and 9 points from 9, without conceding a goal. The first half was slow, though Czech Republic missed a big chance through Denis Vysinsky in the eighth minute. Mexico broke through in the 55th minute through Mateo Chavez, set up by Luis Romo, and Julian Quinones made it 2-0 six minutes later after a defensive lapse. In the 78th minute, 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came off the bench for Raul Rangel to a huge ovation, making his sixth World Cup appearance. Substitute Alvaro Fidalgo sealed the result in stoppage time.
