ATLANTA, June 19 — Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty as South Africa fought back to secure a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A clash early this morning, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
The result leaves both teams on one point after two matches and likely needing victory in their final group games to maintain realistic hopes of advancing.
South Africa looked set for an early exit after falling behind in the sixth minute to Michal Sadilek's strike, but Mokoena calmly slotted home a penalty seven minutes from time to earn a crucial point.
“I don't see a reason,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos replied when asked if he felt relieved by the result.
“I think that we played a very good game today, except for one moment in the beginning of the first half, where we were not concentrated, not focused.”
Mexico and South Korea, who both began the day on three points, were due to meet later on Thursday in Guadalajara.
For the first time at a World Cup match, both head coaches were aged over 70, with the two 74-year-old managers making significant changes after disappointing opening-game defeats.
Broos abandoned his much-criticised conservative formation, while Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek made five changes to his starting line-up.
The Czechs started brightly and nearly took the lead in the opening minute when Patrik Schick miskicked a header.
They did not have to wait long to open the scoring, however, as South Africa's defence switched off from a long throw-in.
Adam Hlozek collected the ball on the right before reaching the byline and cutting it back to the edge of the penalty area, where Alexandr Sojka slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Sadilek, who fired a first-time effort beyond goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
“The pass was well orchestrated, well coordinated,” Sadilek said.
“But after we scored our goal, we somehow got carried away. We were too much in a block. We kept the opponent playing.”
Late lifeline
The Czech Republic were content to concede possession after taking the lead, but South Africa struggled to create clear-cut chances despite seeing more of the ball.
Oswin Appollis came closest with a long-range effort that took a deflection and drifted narrowly wide.
South Africa also threatened just before halftime when goalkeeper Matej Kovar spilled Aubrey Modiba's delivery into the six-yard box, but Czech captain Ladislav Krejci blocked Thapelo Maseko's shot.
Broos made a change at the start of the second half, introducing Relebohile Mofokeng for Jayden Adams, but it was the Czechs who began strongly after the restart, with Lukas Cerv forcing Williams into a save from distance.
South Africa lacked creativity in the final third and appeared to have run out of ideas until a handball decision was awarded against Pavel Sulc.
Mokoena made no mistake from the spot, sending Kovar the wrong way to level the scores.
The midfielder's yellow card later in the match means he will miss South Africa's final group fixture through suspension. The team were already without Themba Zwane, who is serving a three-match ban following a red card in their opening game.
The Czech Republic will face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday, while South Africa take on South Korea in Monterrey at the same time.
Both hydration breaks were loudly booed by supporters inside the air-conditioned Atlanta Stadium, where the roof remained closed to shield spectators from heavy rain rather than Georgia's summer heat and humidity.
The jeers subsided, however, when Take Me Home, Country Roads was played over the stadium speakers, prompting an enthusiastic singalong from the crowd.
