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  "path": "/news/2008926/south-africa-hold-czechs-keep-world-cup-knockout-dream-alive",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-18T18:29:23.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.dawn.com",
  "tags": [
    "Sport"
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  "textContent": "Teboho Mokoena’s penalty kept South Africa’s dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.\n\nMichal Sadilek’s early opener had the Czechs on course for just their second World Cup win as an independent nation.\n\nBut Mokoena’s late spot-kick kept both teams in the hunt for the last 32, although they will almost certainly have to win their final Group A fixture to advance.\n\nBoth sides move onto one point, two behind co-hosts Mexico and South Korea, who face off later on Thursday.\n\nSouth Africa next face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on the daunting task of playing Mexico in the Estadio Azteca.\n\nBoth sides started with disappointing performances and defeats on the World Cup’s opening day, but the Czechs quickly set about making amends.\n\nPatrik Schick is the biggest name in a Czech side lacking the star quality of previous generations but the Bayer Leverkusen forward missed a glorious chance inside the first minute when he planted a header wide.\n\nMiroslav Koubek’s men only had to wait another five minutes to take the lead.\n\nAdam Hlozek’s cross was classily cushioned by Alexandr Sojka into the path of Sadilek, who calmly stroked the ball past Ronwen Williams.\n\nNow in their fourth attempt, South Africa have never progressed beyond the group stage at the World Cup.\n\nHugo Broos has overseen an upturn in Bafana Bafana’s fortunes since taking charge five years ago.\n\nThe 2010 hosts had not qualified for the World Cup since 2002 but finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.\n\nTheir return to the global stage has exposed a lack of quality, though, particularly in forward areas.\n\nThe Czechs were left to rue not making more of their chances to kill the game off early in the second half.\n\nVladimir Darida took too long to get his shot off with a big chance before Lukas Cerv’s long-range effort was tipped over by Williams.\n\nThere were thousands of empty seats on show at the futuristic home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, but those that were in attendance loudly booed the mid-half hydration breaks in an enclosed and air-conditioned stadium.\n\nThe majority of the crowd were backing South Africa and finally had something to cheer seven minutes from time.\n\nThapelo Maseko’s shot hit the arm of the unfortunate Pavel Sulc and referee Tori Penso, part of an all-female officiating team, pointed to the spot.\n\nMokoena confidently drilled home the spot-kick for his nation’s first World Cup goal in 16 years.\n\nThey came close to a second five minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.\n\nBut both sides had to settle for a point that could yet prove vital come the end of Wednesday’s final Group A games.",
  "title": "South Africa hold Czechs, keep World Cup knockout dream alive"
}