Czechia 1-1 South Africa: Mokena penalty rescues point against wasteful opponents | OneFootball

Teboho Mokena’s 83rd-minute penalty rescued a point for South Africa against a wasteful Czechia, who surrendered their lead for the second game running of their World Cup campaign.

Michal Sadílek gave the Czech’s an early lead when he scored the fastest goal at the 2026 World Cup so far, taking just six minutes to put his country ahead in a half that was otherwise uneventful.

Disaster struck for Czechia having had the better chances throughout when Pavel Sulc handled inside the penalty area and Mokena converted from the spot to snatch the draw, yet Bafana Bafana remain bottom of the Group A with one game remaining.

As It Happened

Both sides fell to defeat in their opening games and were looking to keep their World Cup hopes alive as they faced off in Atlanta.

There was almost a goal with just under a minute played as a hopeful cross towards the back post was met by Patrick Schick, who had so much time and space to direct his header goalwards. However, the striker got his contact all wrong and missed the target.

Czechia started on the front foot and capitalised on their pressure, scoring the earliest goal of the tournament one match into its second week of fixtures.

Adam Hlozek’s arrowed cross found Alexandr Sojka, who smartly slipped Michal Sadílek through, and the midfielder made no mistake, finding the far corner.

A common theme at this World Cup has been fans thinking the ball has gone in when it has actually struck the side netting or the roof of the net.

It happened again when South Africa carved out a rare chance. Oswin Appollis unleashed a long-range effort that took a deflection into the side netting, prompting celebrations from some supporters who thought it had found the back of the net.

A half with not much to talk about almost ended with a goal. Czechia keeper Matej Kovár spilt a cross in his six-yard box, and Thapelo Maseko shot on the half turn, but Ladislav Krejcí reacted quickly to block the effort.

Just like in the first half, Czechia started quickly. The ball was squared to Vladimír Darida, but his first touch let him down, and his resulting effort was blocked by Ime Okon.

Moments later, Lukáš Červ tried his luck from distance, forcing Ronwen Williams to tip the ball over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Schick, who wasted a huge chance in the first, headed goalwards, but it was poor again as it was straight at Williams.

Czechia were made to rue those missed chances because in the 81st minute, South Africa were awarded a penalty. Maseko’s powerful effort struck the hand of substitute Pavel Sulc from close range.

Teboho Mokena made no mistake from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Following their equaliser, South Africa went in search of a winner as substitute Relebohile Mofokeng tested Kovár from distance, in which the Czechia keeper spilt the ball yet again but recovered.

South Africa finished the game positively and will be hoping they can carry that momentum into their final group game against South Korea in a week’s time, kicking off at 02:00 (BST).

As for Czechia, it’s another disappointing display, and they face a tough task in their final group game against Mexico an hour earlier next Thursday.

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