South Africa secured an important point in Group A’s second game against the Czech Republic at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to push for a spot in the round of 32.

The European side went ahead in the 5th minute when Michal Sadilek latched on to a clever lay-off and rifled home the earliest goal of the tournament so far.

Having conceded an early goal against the co-host, Mexico, and eventually lost 2-0 in the opening match, it was looking like they would suffer another defeat until Teboho Mokoena secured a point for the Bafana Bafana, scoring an 83rd-minute penalty.

After finding themselves a goal down, they eventually settled into the game and slowed down play, but they struggled to create chances and only managed their first shot on target in the 74th minute.

Fortune later smiled at them as Thapelo Maseko’s shot thundered into Pavel Sulc’s arm in the Czech box with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Mokoena stepped up and made no mistake with the finish, slotting into the left corner.

Having lost their opening games, a point does little to help either side and their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages. Mexico and South Korea, who will clash later, are above them in the Group A table.

Both sides have a chance of qualification for the knockout stage, as the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the last 32, and three points are likely to be enough to secure a place in the knockout stages. This means both teams still have it all to play for in their final group games.

South Africa face South Korea on Thursday, 25 June, while the Czechs will take on co-hosts Mexico in the Azteca at the same time.

The African side will have to work on their creativity to have any chance of beating the Asian side, as luck may not be on their side, like what happened against the Czech, in a match they totally deserve not to draw.