Czechia vs South Africa

Czech Republic and South Africa played out a tense 1-1 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a Group A result shaped entirely by Teboho Mokoena's stoppage-time penalty that denied the Czechs what looked like a comfortable win. Michal Sadílek struck just six minutes in — the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup so far — slotting home calmly to put Czech Republic in control. South Africa were already shorthanded, missing suspended midfielders Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane after both were sent off against Mexico. Mokoena himself picked up a yellow card in the 32nd minute as the visitors scrambled to stay in the game. With the clock winding down, Mokoena stepped up in the 83rd minute and drilled his penalty low into the bottom-left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way to steal a share of the spoils in seven minutes of added time. The draw keeps both nations alive in knockout stage contention, but Czech Republic will rue surrendering a lead they held for so long, while South Africa take genuine heart from a spirited late comeback after a bruising start to the tournament.