Czechia 1-1 South Africa - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Bafana Bafana Recover to Earn Point Versus Czechia

A low-tempo fixture between Czechia and South Africa saw a late Bafana Bafana penalty earn a point towards their hopes of staying at the World Cup.

An early opener from Michal Sadilek had Czechia in control of possession for the majority of the game, but a late surge in effort saw Teboho Mokoena seal the result from the penalty spot.

The result marks the first point of the World Cup for both of these nations, leaving their chances of staying in North America looking fairly slim.

Czechia 1-1 South Africa As It Happened

Bafana Bafana fans hoping for a more energetic start to this game in comparison to their disappointing opening loss to Mexico last week would have been disappointed with their beginning in this tie - Czechia, who too suffered defeat against South Korea to start their campaign, were on the front foot from minute one and carved out a few decent chances from their quick, high-tempo passing.

But it would be a moment of simplicity that would guide them to the opening goal. A long throw down the right wing got South Africa caught in a muddle, preceding a clever through pass from wing-back Alexandr Sojka to Michal Sadílek in behind. The Slavia Prague midfielder made no mistake with his finish, scoring emphatically beyond Ronwen Williams to open the affair within barely five minutes of the start.

In need of a spark, midfielder Teboho Mokoena would have a go from about 40 yards in a rare South Africa counter attack during a half that had mostly been dominated by the Czech team. He caught it well and got plenty of power behind it, but it sailed harmlessly over Matej Kovar's bar eventually.

Kovar almost cost his side the lead with only seconds remaining of the first half. A great bit of play from South Africa saw Aubrey Modiba send a cross into the box from the left. The Czech goalkeeper dropped what should have been a simple catch right at the feet of Iqraam Rayners, but Ladislav Krejci got out well to charge down the eventual shot.

Halftime Score - Czechia 1-0 South Africa

Czechia had two golden opportunities to double their advantage early in the second half within the opening five minutes. A swift attack built down the left saw the ball cut back in the box to Vladimír Darida, but the veteran's touch was poor before his shot was blocked well by Ime Okon for a corner. From that, Patrick Schick would rise high for a free header but sent it straight at Williams - the second missed free header of the game for him.

The game had petered out into a surprising lack of attacking will from South Africa, despite them beginning to see far more possession, with their position in the World Cup at risk. As such, there were no huge clear cut chances to speak off until the 80th minute, where Bafana Bafana won a penalty from out of the blue.

Thapelo Maseko carved in from the left wing and had an attempt at goal from the edge, which took a huge deflection off of the outstretched arm of substitute Pavel Sulc. Mokoena stepped up with the weight of a nation on his shoulders, and emphatically powered the spot-kick past Kovar and into the bottom left.

Since the early opner, neither side looked to have the confidence to push on and make their opponents work. Czechia were complacent after their early opener and South Africa looked spirited after the second. They came close to taking a shock lead as stoppage time approached, with Kovar unconvincingly equal to a curling low drive from Relebohile Mofokeng.

Czechia sorted themselves out in response, with chances for Sulc, Schick and Soucek coming late, but the late penalty ended up being the goal to decide the result of a game with a surprisingly breathless finish.

Fulltime Score - Czechia 1-1 South Africa

Czechia Player Ratings

• Matej Kovar (5)

• Tomas Holes (6)

• Robin Hranac (6)

• Ladislav Krejci (7)

• Vladimir Coufal (7)

• Alexandr Sojka (7)

• Vladimír Darida (6)

• Lukás Cerv (6)

• Michal Sadílek (8)

• Adam Hlozek (6)

• Patrick Schick (4)

• Pavel Sulc (4)

• Jaroslav Zeleny (6)

• Tomas Soucek (6)

• Lukas Provod (6)

• David Zima (6)

South Africa Player Ratings

• Ronwen Williams (6)

• Khuliso Mudau (5)

• Mbekezeli Mbokazi (7)

• Ime Okon (7)

• Aubrey Maphosa Modiba (7)

• Jayden Adams (6)

• Teboho Mokoena (8)

• Thalente Mbatha (6)

• Oswin Appollis (6)

• Thapelo Maseko (5)

• Iqraam Rayners (5)

• Relebohile Mofokeng (7)

• Evidence Makgopa (6)

• Kamogelo Sebelebele (6)

Man of the Match - Teboho Mokoena

The decisive goal from the spot, a brilliant bit of late defending to keep the point and an all-round solid performance. There were few noteworthy displays out there this evening, but Mokoena led the engine room of this game well.

Bad Day at the Office - Patrick Schick

This wasn't a game of any particular quality with a complacent Czechia and a scared South Africa, but Schick should have made a far bigger difference today.

He missed several big opportunities as the game went by.