SOCCER: South Africa beat South Korea to reach World Cup knockout stage for first time

MONTERREY, Mexico — South Africa secured a historic place in the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time on Wednesday after Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike earned a 1-0 victory over South Korea, who remain in contention to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

Maseko found the decisive goal in the 63rd minute, calmly finishing into the bottom corner to send South Africa to four points in Group A. They sit behind group winners Mexico and have booked a Round of 16 meeting with co-hosts Canada on June 28 in Los Angeles.

South Korea, meanwhile, remain on three points and will now wait on results elsewhere to determine whether they progress.

The result marks a major milestone for South Africa, who failed to advance from the group stage in their previous three World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002, and 2010. -Writing by Julien Pretot, editing by Christian Radnedge/Reuters