Mokoena's late penalty earns South Africa a draw to keep World Cup hopes alive

Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty rescued South Africa a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, keeping both nations’ World Cup 2026 knockout hopes intact heading into the final round of Group A fixtures.

Michal Sadilek gave the Czechs a sixth-minute lead, the quickest goal of the tournament so far, after Adam Hlozek’s cutback from the right found Alexandr Sojka, who laid the ball off for Sadilek to clip a composed finish past Ronwen Williams. The goal came despite Patrik Schick heading an early chance wide, and the Czechs had made five changes from their 2-1 defeat to South Korea, with West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek among those dropped to the bench.

South Africa — already without Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane, both sent off in their opening 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium — struggled to find a way through in a flat first half. Oswin Appollis fired a 25-yard effort that was deflected behind, and Thapelo Maseko’s angled shot was cut out at the near post as the tempo faded heading into the break.

The Czech Republic went close to doubling their advantage early in the second half. Vladimir Darida had a close-range shot blocked, Lukas Cerv’s speculative effort was tipped over, and Schick headed straight at Williams from the resulting corner.

The decisive moment arrived with nine minutes remaining when Czech substitute Pavel Sulc was adjudged to have handled Maseko’s point-blank shot. Mokoena stepped up and slotted the penalty to the left, sending Matej Kovar the wrong way.

Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages — Evidence Makgopa shot straight at Kovar after a strong turn on the edge of the box — leaving both teams level on one point in Group A.

The Czech Republic now face Mexico at the Azteca in their final group game, while South Africa take on South Korea in Monterrey. Both matches represent must-win situations for sides still harbouring hopes of reaching the last 32.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos was defiant after the final whistle. “When you see the reaction after our game against Mexico, this is Bafana Bafana,” he said. “We play good football, we are aggressive, we had chances, but you need also a little bit of luck. Now we don’t have to count on someone else. We just have to win the game against South Korea.”