South Africa made history by qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history after a resillient 1-0 victory over South Korea in Group A
South Korea made a bright start to the game, with central defender Kim Min-jae having a presentable chance from a corner just two minutes in. After seven minutes, Kang-in Lee's dangerous effort went just wide of the post, with the keeper stranded.
After ten minutes of basically nothing happening at all, South Africa had a very good opening of themselves on the break, but Thapelo Maseko waited too long to get his shot off, and the defender was able to deflect it behind for a corner.
A fierce shot from Thalente Mbatha was parried into the path of Evidence Makgopa hit the rebound straight at the keeper. It would have been a tight call for offside had he scored. The sides went into the half time break goalless.
Evidence Makgopa sees his effort saved // REUTERS The first good chance of the second half again fell to South Africa, as Maseko was played in on goal, but he once again took too many touches to try and get the ball back onto his left foot, and the defender managed to block the shot.
Just before the hour mark, a great through ball was played towards substitute Heung-Min Son, but his age showed and he tried to lay the ball off, unsuccessfully, instead of running through, as South Korea struggled to get a foothold in the game.
After 63 minutes, it was third time lucky for Maseko. A ball fell to him at the far post, and he squeezed a superb finish through a defenders leg and into the near post. A great finish.
South Korea continued to huff and puff, but South Africa's off the ball shape was solid, and they were frustrating their counterparts, whilst looking like a threat at times on the counter attack.
Two minutes from time, a Son shot from range was blocked by a South African defender, which really summed up their offensive work in the game. Nothing else on, potshot from range, never causing any danger for the defence.
There was one half chance for the East Asian side in stoppage time - an outside the boot cross nearly found a man, but Ronwen Williams was there to pick up the pieces, as they continued to look solid at the back.
After holding on for six minutes of stoppage time, South Africa managed to pick up a famous win, securing second place and qualification for the knockout stages for the first time ever.
They will face Canada, in LA, on the 28th, at 20:00 BST. As for South Korea, well it depends if they finish in the top eight third placed teams. Currently they are in the top eight, but it will depend on other results. And if they do, well their opponent is dependant on where they finish.
