Guadalupe: South Korea finished third in their group at the FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 loss to South Africa in northeastern Mexico, sending their status for the knockout round into limbo.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Thapelo Maseko scored for South Africa in the 63rd minute, and South Korea failed to respond at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, suffering their second defeat in Group A. South Korea, ranked No. 25 in the world, finished third with three points from a win and two losses. The Taegeuk Warriors earlier defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 but fell to Mexico 1-0.
Mexico clinched the top spot in Group A with that victory, and South Korea needed a win or a draw against 60th-ranked South Africa to join Mexico in the round of 32 as the Group A runner-up. However, South Africa leapfrogged South Korea to second place, while Mexico beat Czechia 3-0 to finish a perfect run through the group stage.
With this year's tournament featuring 48 nations, up from the previous 32, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups earn automatic spots in the knockouts, along with the eight best third-place teams. With Groups A, B, and C having completed their play, South Korea is fourth among third-place teams. The group stage will conclude Saturday with teams in Groups J, K, and L in action across the United States. The goal difference is the first tiebreaker, followed by goals scored.