For 63 minutes in Monterrey, Thapelo Maseko kept running, probing and searching for an opening.
When it finally arrived, the 22-year-old winger delivered the moment that changed South African football forever.
Maseko’s composed finish against South Korea secured a historic 1-0 victory and sent Bafana Bafana into the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 for the first time in history.
South Africa had waited through campaigns in 1998, 2002 and 2010 without advancing beyond the group stages. One left-footed strike from Maseko finally ended that drought.
The goal not only secured qualification. It instantly joined the shortlist of the most significant moments ever produced by a South African national team player.
Supporters can follow Bafana’s historic journey through the 2026 FIFA World Cup fixtures and schedule and check the where to watch guide for upcoming matches.
It also completed an unlikely turnaround.
Only days earlier, South Africa had suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Mexico — a match preceded by Tyla’s World Cup opening ceremony appearance — and faced criticism from supporters and pundits alike.
Questions resurfaced about Hugo Broos‘ selections.
Some doubted whether this squad belonged on football’s biggest stage.
Maseko answered those doubts.
Thapelo Maseko kept pushing until his historic World Cup goal
The winger looked dangerous throughout the match.
He twice found space behind South Korea’s defence during the first half but failed to make the opportunities count.
Instead of disappearing from the game, he continued making runs and stretching the Korean back line.
His persistence paid off in the 63rd minute.
Substitute Tshepang Moremi received possession inside the penalty area and quickly slipped a pass toward Maseko.
The Mamelodi Sundowns attacker controlled the ball, shifted it onto his favoured left foot and drilled a low effort beyond goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
Monterrey erupted.
Back home, celebrations quickly spread across social media and viewing venues.
Football analyst Brian Sciaretta observed that Maseko had pushed for opportunities throughout the contest and capitalised when he finally found a clean sight of goal.
That assessment reflected South Africa’s display.
Bafana Bafana controlled long stretches of the match and deserved their breakthrough.
Sphephelo Sithole and Thalente Mbatha dominated midfield battles.
Relebohile Mofokeng repeatedly supplied dangerous passes.
Ronwen Williams produced another assured performance behind the defence.
Yet tournament football often depends on a single decisive moment.
South Africa found theirs through Maseko.
Why Maseko’s strike may be the biggest goal in Bafana history
Whether Maseko’s strike ultimately ranks above Siyabonga Nomvethe‘s AFCON goals or Siphiwe Tshabalala‘s famous 2010 World Cup opener will remain open to debate.
Its importance, however, is difficult to dispute.
Tshabalala’s goal introduced South Africa’s World Cup to the world.
Maseko’s effort sent South Africa into uncharted territory.
For the first time, Bafana will play a knockout match at a FIFA World Cup.
They will meet Canada in Los Angeles after finishing second in Group A behind Mexico.
Coach Hugo Broos believes his players are still improving.
“We were certainly not at our top in the beginning,” Broos said. “So we go up now. The Czechia game was better. Today it was good.”
Broos also revealed that criticism directed at his methods never changed his thinking.
“I always believed in this group,” he said. “I never doubted them.”
Maseko has now become the face of that belief.
At only 22, he has already secured a permanent place in South African football history.
Whatever happens against Canada, generations of supporters will remember where they were when jersey number 12 found space inside the South Korean penalty area and calmly finished the chance that changed everything.
Stay connected with NOWinSA for complete World Cup coverage. For more on the tournament’s commercial side, explore the McDonald’s World Cup campaign featuring Beckham, Henry and the SA anthem challenge.
