South Africa national football team secured a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after defeating South Korea national football team 1-0 in their final Group A match.

A 63rd-minute goal from Thapelo Maseko at Estadio Monterrey proved decisive, earning Bafana Bafana second place in the group with four points.

The victory completed an impressive recovery for coach Hugo Broos and his side, who had opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to the Mexico national football team.

Mexico topped Group A with a perfect nine points after a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic national football team.

South Africa will now face the Canada national football team in the Round of 32 after the Canadians also qualified for the knockout phase for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Morocco national football team booked their place in the Round of 32 with a dramatic 4-2 comeback victory over the Haiti national football team.

Haiti took an early lead through an own goal involving Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou before Achraf Hakimi equalised. William Isidor restored Haiti’s advantage, but Morocco responded with goals from Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine to seal the win.

Morocco finished second in Group C with seven points, level with group winners Brazil national football team, who defeated the Scotland national football team 3-0 through goals from Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha.

The Atlas Lions will face the winners of Group F, where the Netherlands national football team, Japan national football team and Sweden national football team remain in contention for top spot.

The qualification of Morocco and South Africa guarantees Africa at least two representatives in the World Cup Round of 32, with both nations seeking to extend their impressive campaigns on the global stage.