South Africa Survives Against Czechia, Earns a Draw

By Daniel Feuerstein | Atlanta, GA | June 18th, 2026

The start of the second matches in the group stage is underway, as Group A went first, with Czechia taking on South Africa. Both teams needed the full three points after losing their respective first match, as they hoped to gain some traction with Mexico & South Korea battling later in the evening for first place in the group. Either side attempted to best one another; after the full 90 minutes were over, both the Czechs and the South Africans ended their contest with a one goal draw and shared the points.

Early goal puts Czechia ahead.

Czechia started on the front foot and attacked the South African’s net with authority. They brought the ball down the near side, looking to gain an advantage and setting up a shot. That’s when Alexandr Sojka received the cross at the far side and saw Michal Sadilek trailing the play. Once Sojka made the pass in front of Sadilek, it was a big shot that beat the keeper inside the near post in the 6th minute as Czechia once again opened the scoring in the World Cup.

A penalty earned and converted late

South Africa was looking to level the match to force the issue. It finally came when the ball was crossed into the Czechia area, and out of nowhere, Pavel Sulc tried to defend the shot that hit him originally off his right upper arm that was in a natural position, but then the ball ricocheted and hit his left arm/hand that wasn’t in a natural position, away from his body. Referee Tori Penso blew her whistle and pointed to the spot for a penalty. Teboho Mokoena grabbed the ball and walked to the penalty spot. Calmed himself, then took the penalty and scored inside the far post in the 83rd minute

Mokoena is suspended

Before Mokoena’s heroics for his nation, he committed a harsh foul and was booked in the 33rd minute. Already carrying a yellow card from the last match against Tri-Host Mexico, he will now miss the final group stage match against South Korea. As Mokoena converted his penalty late in the match, he earned praise to keep Sotuh Africa alive while saying goodbye by serving a one-match suspension. While goal differential is the major key to staying alive in this new World Cup, earning that point against Czechia was crucial, as now both sides have a point, and when that new best-of-eight teams finishing in third place is up for grabs, the hope is that either side can take it.

South Africa converted a penalty after trailing the entire game against Czechia and splitting the points.

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