Czechia 1-1 South Africa: Mokoena Penalty Earns Crucial World Cup Point

The first of this year’s second-round matches saw Czechia pegged back by a late South Africa penalty, with both teams now requiring a win in their final group games to have a chance of progressing in the tournament.

Teboho Mokoena’s 83rd-minute spot-kick cancelled out Michal Sadílek’s early opener, injecting life into what had otherwise been a drab affair.

Sadílek put Czechia ahead with the quickest goal of the World Cup so far. Just five minutes and seven seconds had elapsed when he latched onto a clever first-time pass from Sojka and slotted the ball home expertly.

Miroslav Koubek’s side made life difficult for Bafana Bafana with a well-organised man-to-man press that forced South Africa to play long into Czechia’s aerially dominant centre-backs. Combined with a resolute low block, it made them extremely difficult to break down.

South Africa’s only genuine chance of the first half arrived just before the interval when Czechia goalkeeper Kovář spilled a cross at the feet of Maseko, whose resulting effort was blocked heroically by a lunging Ladislav Krejčí.

Czechia began the second half brightly. Darida saw a promising effort blocked by Ime Okran, while moments later Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick headed straight at Ronwen Williams despite finding himself unmarked. Krejčí also headed over shortly afterwards, with Czechia’s dangerous set-piece routines continuing to cause problems.

However, after that spell of pressure, Czechia became increasingly passive and allowed South Africa to dominate possession. Although Bafana Bafana created few clear opportunities, the Europeans were eventually punished for sitting too deep when Maseko cut inside from the right and struck the ball into Sulc’s partially outstretched arm from close range.

Referee Tori Penso, who became only the second woman to officiate a men’s FIFA World Cup match, immediately pointed to the penalty spot. The decision appeared harsh given the close proximity between the players, but VAR was unlikely to overturn it.

Mokoena confidently fired the resulting penalty into the bottom-left corner as the goalkeeper dived the opposite way.

The equaliser opened the game up, creating chances at both ends, but the lack of cutting edge that had characterised much of the contest remained evident.

With a result that ultimately suited neither side, this first-ever World Cup meeting between Czechia and South Africa is unlikely to be remembered for long. Czechia, in particular, may regret not pushing harder for a second goal while in control.

For Bafana Bafana, however, this represented a significant improvement on their chaotic opening match against Mexico, where they finished with two players sent off. Although they laboured through much of the contest, they controlled possession for extended periods and were ultimately rewarded for their persistence.

Selecting a Player of the Match from such a sluggish encounter is not straightforward, but Teboho Mokoena’s tireless midfield display and calmly converted penalty edge him ahead. Unfortunately for South Africa, he will miss the clash with South Korea after picking up a first-half yellow card.

The final Group A fixtures will be played simultaneously next Thursday morning. Czechia take on Mexico, while South Africa face South Korea, with both nations needing victory to keep their knockout-stage ambitions alive.