South Africa draw 1-1 with the Czech Republic in a World Cup Group A match in Atlanta, with Teboho Mokoena scoring a penalty late in the game to salvage the result. Multiple outlets report that South Africa fall behind early when the Czech Republic score first. As the match progresses, South Africa regain momentum and remain in contention for an equaliser. The decisive moment comes in the second half when a handball by Czech Republic player Pavel Sulc provides South Africa a penalty. Mokoena converts the spot-kick in the final minutes—BBC Sport places the goal in the 83rd minute—leveling the score at 1-1 and preserving South Africa’s slim hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages. Reporting across the sources also notes the emotional contrast in Mokoena’s experience, with some outlets describing him starting the match tearful and finishing with a smile after scoring. The result leaves South Africa needing results in their remaining matches, with at least one outlet noting they are one point from two matches and require a result against South Korea.
Mokoena late penalty earns South Africa 1-1 draw with Czech Republic
South Africa draw 1-1 with the Czech Republic in a World Cup Group A match in Atlanta, with Teboho Mokoena scoring a penalty late in the game to salvage the result. Multiple outlets report that South...
- South Africa and the Czech Republic play out a 1-1 draw in World Cup Group A in Atlanta.
- The Czech Republic score first, putting South Africa behind early in the match.
- South Africa earn a penalty after Pavel Sulc’s handball.
- Teboho Mokoena converts a late penalty, with BBC Sport and others placing it in the final minutes (83rd minute reported).
- The draw keeps South Africa’s knockout qualification hopes alive, leaving them reliant on results in remaining matches.
Atlanta: South Africa fought back from a goal deficit to hold Czechia to a 1-1 draw in a Group A clash at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday, scoring their first point of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.There was a lot of action in the first half between Bafana Bafana and Czechia in Atlanta...#BafanaBafana#BafanaPride#FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/uK70lh3xQF— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 18, 2026 Czechia early breakthroughTeboho Mokoena’s 83rd-minute penalty cancelled out Michal Sadilek’s early opener as South Africa and Czechia shared the points at the Atlanta Stadium, the result leaving both sides on one point from two matches.Tehobo Mokoena scores South Africa's first World Cup goal in 16 years to bring them level at 1-1 vs. Czechia. Then he hit the Ronaldo celebration pic.twitter.com/iypbRiR5HV— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 18, 2026 South Africa equalised pic.twitter.com/6RrPHnl045— La Arána️ (@LOVED1403) June 18, 2026 Czechia coach Miroslav Koubek had called for a “fast start” from his side after they lost their opener to South Korea, and his men responded and scored the opener with the match in the sixth minute of the match. Adam Hlozek crossed from the right, and Alexandr Sojka’s canny, first-time touch released Sadilek, who lashed it past Ronwen Williams.Sadilek's goal was the fastest in this World Cup after five minutes and eight seconds. Felix Nmecha took eight seconds longer to net for Germany against Curaçao.Sadilek marca el primero para la República Checa!!! En 5 minutos ya estamos por delante en el marcador... https://t.co/7kCbiUKbyQ pic.twitter.com/HUDUnt5UTP— KINAPUESTAS (@kinpicks251503) June 18, 2026 The two sides created many chances but could not find another goal as they went for the breather with Czechia leading 1-0.South Africa second-half pushSouth Africa manager Hugo Broos introduced Relebohile Mofokeng for the second half and, though the 21-year-old duly flickered his genius, a Czechia backline bossed by the impressive Ladislav Krejci appeared set to hold out for victory.That was until Pavel Sulc was penalised for handball, and Mokoena sent Matej Kovar the wrong way from the spot to make it 1-1.Group standings updateMexico and the Republic of Korea are leading the table in Group A with three points each, with the Mexicans ahead on goal difference.⚽️ ℂ Bafana Bafana players and coach after their 1⃣➖1⃣ draw against Czechia!️ Relebohile Mofokeng️ Hugo Broos️ Teboho Mokoena️ Thapelo Maseko#SABCSportFootball #FIFAWorldCup #AllOfUsAllInKaofela pic.twitter.com/LHxUpcTp2f— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 18, 2026 “I'm very proud of my team. This is Bafana Bafana – we love good football, we are aggressive, we create chances. Yes, we made mistakes, but I’m very proud of the performance today. Czechia are powerful and very tall. We did very well. It’s a little bit of a pity that it’s only 1-1, but we have to win the game against the Republic, which will be very difficult too. If we play with the same mentality, it will be possible,” said South Africa coach Hugo Bross after the match.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
2 months agoSouth Africa 1-1 Czech Republic: Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty earned Bafana Bafana a point and both teams will need a win in their final game to stand a realistic chance of advancing
2 months agoSouth Africa snatch a late draw against Czechia thanks to Teboho Mokoena's penalty.
2 months agoSouth Africa snatch a late draw against Czechia thanks to Teboho Mokoena's penalty.
2 months agoSouth Africa snatch a late draw against Czechia thanks to Teboho Mokoena's penalty.
2 months agoTeboho Mokoena started the game with tears in his eyes and finished it with a smile on his face after converting a second-half penalty in South Africa's 1-1…
2 months ago
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