South Africa earns draw with Czechia at World Cup after epic penalty kick goal

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South Africa earns draw with Czechia at World Cup after epic penalty kick goal

Bryan Logan, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Thu, Jun 18, 2026 ·

2 min read

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South Africa earns draw with Czechia at World Cup after epic penalty kick goal appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues on Thursday, with Match Day 2 for Groups A and B . The opening fixture of the day was between South Africa and Czechia.

Both teams were on the losing end of their first matches, meaning not getting a result would likely end their chances to advance to the next round. Czechia took an early lead, with Michal Sadilek scoring in the sixth minute. The game remained 1-0 until a handball from Pavel Sulc of Czechia led to a penalty.

In the 83rd minute, Teboho Mokoena stepped to the dot and drilled the penalty kick.

Mokoena sent the ball to the left, while Czech goaltender Matej Kovar dove the wrong direction. South Africa nearly took the win, as Evidence Makgopa had a wonderful chance in both the 88th and late in stoppage time in the second half, but both were saved.

Czechia also had its chances in the game. Early in the second half, Patrik Schick was ten yards away from the goal and took a header, but the ball was saved. South Africa deserved the point, though. They dominated possesion, holding it 61.9 percent of the time. Further, they had 17 shots with four on target, as opposed to the 14 and three on target of Czechia. They also finished with the higher expected goals value with a 1.37 xG compared to the 1.02 of Czechia.

With South Korea and Mexico facing off later on Thursday, both teams could now be in a position to move into a top-two spot in the group. Czechia will finish up the Group Stage on Wednesday against Mexico, while South Africa will contend against South Korea.

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