Late penalty gifts South Africa first point against wasteful Czech Republic

Czech Republic vs South Africa; FIFA World Cup Group A Czech Republic vs South Africa. FIFA World Cup Group A. Mercedes-Benz StadiumAttendance67,442. World Cup 2026: Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa - Teboho Mokoena penalty gifts Bafana Bafana first point against wasteful Czechs Match report as Teboho Mokoena's late penalty earns South Africa their first point of the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against wasteful Czech Republic; Michal Sadilek had netted early opener with Patrik Schick missing chances in either half Thursday 18 June 2026 19:13, UK Teboho Mokoena's late penalty gifted South Africa their first point of the World Cup after wasteful Czech Republic failed to make their chances pay in a 1-1 draw in Atlanta. The Bafana Bafana were desperate for a response from their despondent opening-game defeat to Mexico but looked sluggish and short of ideas throughout until Pavel Sulc's inadvertent but clear handball nine minutes from time allowed Mokoena to earn them a point from the spot. - As it happened | Teams | Stats | Group A guide - World Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World Cup - Follow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App They had trailed since the sixth minute to Michal Sadilek's smart finish but could have been ahead even before that, with Patrik Schick miscuing a presentable header with just 50 seconds on the clock. South Africa's best chance prior to their goal, a blocked effort from Thapelo Maseko, came when Matej Kovar spilled a cross with Hugo Broos' side struggling to create chances and failing to test the Czech goalkeeper to that point. They should have been further behind moments after the break when Vladimir Darida was found unmarked in the box but a heavy touch allowed Ime Okon to get back, before Schick nodded a free header straight at Ronwen Williams. But Mokoena's late leveller, and a late flurry of half-chances which followed for South Africa, leaves Group A blown right open with both they and Czech Republic still able to amass four points and finish at least third, which would be highly likely to see them into the last 32. More to follow...