South Africa vs Korea Republic preview

2026 World Cup, World
Monterrey Stadium Thu, 25 Jun - 1:00 AM
World Cup
South Africa RSA
1 0
Korea Republic KOR
Full Time Thu, 25 Jun 1:00 AM
Round 3 Group Stage
Thapelo Maseko - 63'
Goal
|

CONTEXT

South Africa defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in a match that stayed level at 0-0 through halftime. Korea Republic controlled 68 percent of possession while South Africa held 32 percent yet the home side produced the only goal. Expected goals finished level at 1.06 apiece reflecting similar quality of chances created by each attack. South Africa entered as the stronger side and delivered the victory despite the visitors generating the greater share of the ball. The outcome diverged from several pre-match indicators that had pointed toward a different result. No red cards were shown and the game remained eleven versus eleven throughout both halves. South Africa converted their limited opportunities with greater clinical edge to secure the three points on the day.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: South Africa won with 32 percent possession against Korea Republic's 68 percent.
  • Efficiency shift: Efficiency remained in line with expectations for both sides.
  • xG alignment: Outcome proved inconsistent with equal xG values of 1.06 each.
  • Market alignment: Final result did not align with pre-match indicators.
  • xG expectations: Both teams posted identical xG figures indicating balanced chance quality.
  • Event impact: No decisive events shifted momentum away from the 1-0 scoreline.
  • Red card distortion: Zero red cards left the match free of numerical imbalances.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
F. Tello Figueroa
F. Tello Figueroa
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
J. Belatti
J. Belatti
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
G. Chade
G. Chade
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
A. Rojas Noguera
A. Rojas Noguera
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
South Africa H. Broos
H. Broos
VS
Korea Republic M. Hong
M. Hong
0.5
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.5
0.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Czech Republic Rank: D
Mexico Rank: L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Mexico Rank: L
Czech Republic Rank: W
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home South Africa
17.33%
Draw
25.58%
Away Korea Republic
57.09%

Movement

Changes since opening
South Africa
-77.9%
Draw
+21%
Korea Republic
+56.9%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power score: composite of opponent-weighted form (last 6 & 20 games) and league position over last 3 seasons.
11.11
10.37
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
South Africa
Korea Republic
Power Score
11.11
10.37
League Position
2
3
Global Rank
60
25

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
South Africa — Opponent-weighted form score
Korea Republic — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) South Africa Korea Republic

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

South Africa

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Korea Republic

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

South Africa ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Korea Republic
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
44.06
18.53
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
18.53
44.06
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
South Africa +2.27 Efficiency Index
vs
Korea Republic -2.27 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
South Africa
Korea Republic
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

South Africa
vs
Korea Republic
Created Set-piece attacking threat
South Africa Korea Republic
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
9%
31%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.10 vs -0.33
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
South Africa Korea Republic
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
31%
9%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.33 vs -0.10
South Africa
Korea Republic
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
South Africa
vs
Korea Republic
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
South Africa Korea Republic
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
South Africa 0.59
Korea Republic 0.09
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
South Africa Korea Republic
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
South Africa 0.00
Korea Republic 0.05
South Africa
Korea Republic
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • KOR had peak pressure around 98'.
  • KOR started the game with stronger pressure.
  • Both teams' pressure dropped after the 30th minute.
RSA Pressure KOR Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: KOR reached the top pressure at 98' (97.72).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 0 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

South Africa RSA Home
0 matches
Korea Republic KOR Away
Match Record
0
Wins
0
0
Draws
0
0
Losses
0
Goals
0
Goals Scored
0
0
Goals Conceded
0
0
Goal Difference
0
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-06-26T00:00:18+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 3-4-2-1
Pitch
R. Williams
South Africa
1 (C) R. Williams
K. Mudau
South Africa
20 K. Mudau
I. Okon
South Africa
21 I. Okon
M. Mbokazi
South Africa
14 M. Mbokazi
M. Modiba
South Africa
6 M. Modiba
T. Mbatha
South Africa
5 T. Mbatha
S. Sithole
South Africa
13 S. Sithole
T. Maseko
Substitution
South Africa
12 T. Maseko
R. Ratomo
Substitution
South Africa
10 R. Ratomo
O. Appollis
Substitution
South Africa
7 O. Appollis
E. Makgopa
South Africa
17 E. Makgopa
S. Kim
South Korea
1 S. Kim
G. Lee
South Korea
3 G. Lee
M. Kim
Substitution
South Korea
4 (C) M. Kim
H. Lee
South Korea
2 H. Lee
T. Lee
Substitution
South Korea
13 T. Lee
I. Hwang
South Korea
6 I. Hwang
S. Paik
Substitution
South Korea
8 S. Paik
Seol Young-Woo
South Korea
22 Seol Young-Woo
H. Hwang
Substitution
South Korea
11 H. Hwang
K. Lee
South Korea
19 K. Lee
H. Oh
Substitution
South Korea
18 H. Oh

General Information

Date & Time
Jun 25, 2026, 01:00 AM
Competition
2026 World Cup, World · Round 3 · Group Stage
Stadium
Monterrey Stadium
Capacity
53500
Attendance
51243
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Facundo Tello Figueroa
Juan Pablo Belatti
Gabriel Chade
Andrés José Rojas Noguera

Statistics

Possession
RSA
36%
KOR
64%

Top Statistics

1 Goals 0
1 Big Chances Created 1
9 Shots 5
22 Dangerous attacks 92
32 Possession 68
4 Corners 6
9 Free kicks 11
1 Yellow Cards 1

Match Overview

12 Goal Kicks 5
4 Substitutions 13
8 Throwins 24
16 Successful Headers 20
1 Assists 0
13 Dribble Attempts 12
6 Successful Dribbles 6
46 Successful Dribbles Percentage 50

Attacking

80 Attacks 138
1 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

57 Long Passes 52
340 Passes 719
277 Successful Passes 641
81 Successful Passes Percentage 89
10 Key Passes 7
19 Successful Long Passes 29
33 Successful Long Passes Percentage 56

Defensive

2 Saves 3
11 Tackles 12
15 Interceptions 4
42 Duels Won 45

Build-up

8 Total Crosses 34
1 Accurate Crosses 7

Discipline

3 Offsides 0
7 Fouls 9

Lineup

Referee : Facundo Tello Figueroa

Starting XI ▼

1
Ronwen Williams
Ronwen Williams (C) Goalkeeper
6.9
6
Aubrey Modiba
Aubrey Modiba Defender
7.27
14
Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Mbekezeli Mbokazi Defender
7.23
20
Khuliso Mudau
Khuliso Mudau Defender
7.4
21
Ime Okon
Ime Okon Defender
6.92
5
Thalente Mbatha
Thalente Mbatha Midfielder
6.97
7
Oswin Appollis
Oswin Appollis Midfielder
6.82
8
Tshepang Moremi
Tshepang Moremi
Attacker62'
6.99
10
Relebohile Mofokeng
Relebohile Mofokeng Midfielder
7.14
23
Jayden Adams
Jayden Adams
Midfielder80'
6.54
12
Thapelo Maseko
Thapelo Maseko Midfielder
7.21
15
Iqraam Rayners
Iqraam Rayners
Attacker75'
6.58
13
Yaya Sithole
Yaya Sithole Midfielder
7.04
17
Evidence Makgopa
Evidence Makgopa Attacker
6.61
Referee : Facundo Tello Figueroa

Starting XI ▼

1
Seung-gyu Kim
Seung-gyu Kim Goalkeeper
6.81
2
Han-beom Lee
Han-beom Lee Defender
7.04
3
Gi-hyuk Lee
Gi-hyuk Lee Defender
7.37
4
Min-jae Kim
Min-jae Kim (C) Defender
6.97
16
Jin-seob Park
Jin-seob Park
Midfielder65'
6.77
6
In-beom Hwang
In-beom Hwang Midfielder
6.99
8
Seung-ho Paik
Seung-ho Paik Midfielder
6.58
—
Seung-ho Paik
46'
13
Tae-seok Lee
Tae-seok Lee Midfielder
6.97
23
Jens Castrop
Jens Castrop
Midfielder46'
6.7
22
Young-woo Seol
Young-woo Seol Midfielder
7.06
11
Hee-chan Hwang
Hee-chan Hwang Attacker
6.61
7
Heung-min Son
Heung-min Son
Attacker46'
6.62
18
Hyeon-gyu Oh
Hyeon-gyu Oh Attacker
6.69
9
Gue-sung Cho
Gue-sung Cho
Attacker74'
6.33
19
Kang-in Lee
Kang-in Lee Attacker
7.27

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Jayden Adams → Relebohile Mofokeng
8th Substitution
80'
79'
Event
Gue-sung Cho
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
Event
Iqraam Rayners → Thapelo Maseko
7th Substitution
75'
74'
Event
Gue-sung Cho → Hyeon-gyu Oh
6th Substitution
Event
Aubrey Modiba
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
73'
65'
Event
Jin-seob Park → Min-jae Kim
5th Substitution
Event
Thapelo Maseko
Left foot shot / 1st Goal
63'
Event
Tshepang Moremi → Oswin Appollis
4th Substitution
62'
46'
Event
Jens Castrop → Tae-seok Lee
1st Substitution
46'
Event
Jin-gyu Kim → Seung-ho Paik
2nd Substitution
46'
Event
Heung-min Son → Hee-chan Hwang
3rd Substitution

Match Commentary

90
Corner Corner
Attempt saved. Ronwen Williams (South Africa) saves a header from Park Jin-Seob (Korea Republic) in the top left corner, coming from the left side of the six-yard box. The assist was provided by Jens Castrop with a cross.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to Korea Republic after a concession by Yaya Sithole.
90
Update Update
The fourth official has indicated there will be 6 minutes of added time.
88
Attempt Attempt
Son Heung-Min's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Kim Jin-Gyu provided the assist.
87
Update Update
Foul committed by Jens Castrop of Korea Republic.
87
Update Update
Evidence Makgopa from South Africa wins a free kick on the right wing.
86
Corner Corner
Attempt missed. Seol Young-Woo from Korea Republic takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes too high after a corner.
86
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to Korea Republic after a concession by Jayden Adams.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to Korea Republic after Yaya Sithole concedes.
83
Update Update
Park Jin-Seob from Korea Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
83
Update Update
Foul committed by Tshepang Moremi of South Africa.
80
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for South Africa: Jayden Adams comes on for Relebohile Mofokeng.
79
Update Update
Yaya Sithole from South Africa is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
79
Update Update
Foul committed by Cho Gue-Sung of Korea Republic.
79
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Cho Gue-Sung of Korea Republic receives a yellow card for a foul.
78
Update Update
Tshepang Moremi from South Africa is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
78
Update Update
Foul committed by Lee Han-Beom of Korea Republic.
76
Update Update
Foul committed by Khuliso Mudau of South Africa.
76
Update Update
Son Heung-Min of Korea Republic wins a free kick on the left wing.
76
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to Korea Republic after a concession by Aubrey Modiba.
75
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for South Africa: Iqraam Rayners comes on for Thapelo Maseko.
74
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Korea Republic: Cho Gue-Sung comes on for Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
73
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Aubrey Modiba from South Africa receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
72
Update Update
Aubrey Modiba from South Africa commits a foul.
72
Update Update
Lee Kang-In from Korea Republic is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
71
Update Update
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
69
Update Update
The match is currently paused for a drinks break.
69
Update Update
Thapelo Maseko from South Africa is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
69
Update Update
Foul committed by Jens Castrop of Korea Republic.
65
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Korea Republic: Park Jin-Seob comes on for Kim Min-Jae.
65
Update Update
Khuliso Mudau from South Africa is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
65
Update Update
Foul committed by Jens Castrop of Korea Republic.
63
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! South Africa leads 1-0 against Korea Republic. Thapelo Maseko scores for South Africa with a left-footed shot from the center of the box after a fast break.
62
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for South Africa: Tshepang Moremi comes on for Oswin Appollis.
60
Corner Corner
Oh Hyeon-Gyu from Korea Republic has his attempt from the center of the box saved in the bottom left corner by Ronwen Williams of South Africa. The shot was assisted by Seol Young-Woo with a cross.
59
Update Update
Hwang In-Beom from Korea Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
59
Update Update
Foul committed by Evidence Makgopa of South Africa.
54
Update Update
Foul committed by Oswin Appollis of South Africa.
54
Update Update
Seol Young-Woo from Korea Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
51
Attempt Attempt
Thapelo Maseko's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Relebohile Mofokeng.
51
Attempt Attempt
Attempt missed. Thalente Mbatha from South Africa takes a right-footed shot from over 35 yards, but it goes wide to the right. Yaya Sithole provided the assist.
46
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Korea Republic: Kim Jin-Gyu comes on for Paik Seung-Ho.
46
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Korea Republic: Jens Castrop comes on for Lee Tae-Seok.
46
Update Update
The second half begins with the match score at 0-0 between South Africa and Korea Republic.
46
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Korea Republic: Son Heung-Min comes on for Hwang Hee-Chan.
45
Corner Corner
Aubrey Modiba from South Africa misses a left-footed shot from outside the box to the right after a corner.
45
Corner Corner
South Africa wins a corner after Lee Tae-Seok concedes.
45
Update Update
Offside called against South Africa. Evidence Makgopa is caught offside.
45
Update Update
The fourth official has indicated there will be 4 minutes of added time.
44
Update Update
Aubrey Modiba of South Africa is caught offside.
43
Attempt Attempt
Thapelo Maseko's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Relebohile Mofokeng.
42
Attempt Attempt
Attempt missed. Relebohile Mofokeng from South Africa takes a right-footed shot from outside the box after a set piece situation.
41
Update Update
Thapelo Maseko from South Africa is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
41
Update Update
Foul committed by Lee Gi-Hyuk from the Korea Republic.
40
Update Update
Foul committed by Hwang Hee-Chan of Korea Republic.
40
Update Update
Khuliso Mudau wins a free kick for South Africa in the defensive half.
39
Attempt Attempt
Attempt missed. Thapelo Maseko from South Africa takes a left-footed shot from outside the box after a quick counterattack.
36
Update Update
Foul committed by Yaya Sithole of South Africa.
36
Update Update
Lee Kang-In from Korea Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
34
Attempt Attempt
Hwang Hee-Chan from Korea Republic misses a right-footed shot from outside the box, sending it close but to the left. Kim Min-Jae provided the assist.
34
Update Update
Thalente Mbatha commits a foul for South Africa.
34
Update Update
Seol Young-Woo from Korea Republic is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
30
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Thalente Mbatha from South Africa has his left-footed shot from outside the box saved in the center of the goal by Kim Seung-Gyu of Korea Republic. The attempt was assisted by Thapelo Maseko.
30
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Attempt saved. Evidence Makgopa from South Africa has a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but it's saved by Kim Seung-Gyu in the center of the goal for Korea Republic.
27
Corner Corner
Korea Republic wins a corner after Relebohile Mofokeng concedes.
26
Update Update
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
23
Update Update
The match is currently delayed for a drinks break.
22
Update Update
Offside called against South Africa. Evidence Makgopa is caught offside.
20
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Attempt saved. Oswin Appollis from South Africa has his right-footed shot from outside the box saved in the center of the goal by Kim Seung-Gyu from Korea Republic. The shot was assisted by Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
19
Attempt Attempt
Thapelo Maseko's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Relebohile Mofokeng.
19
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to South Africa after a concession by Lee Gi-Hyuk.
15
Update Update
Thapelo Maseko from South Africa is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
15
Update Update
Foul committed by Lee Tae-Seok of Korea Republic.
14
Attempt Attempt
Attempt missed by Evidence Makgopa from South Africa, who headed the ball from the center of the box.
8
Attempt Attempt
Attempt missed. Lee Kang-In from Korea Republic has a left-footed shot from the center of the box that goes to the right. He was assisted by Lee Tae-Seok.
7
Attempt Attempt
Attempt missed. Oh Hyeon-Gyu from Korea Republic has a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box.
6
Attempt Attempt
Attempt blocked. Relebohile Mofokeng from South Africa has a left-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked.
6
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to South Africa after Kim Min-Jae concedes.
6
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
3
Attempt Attempt
Relebohile Mofokeng takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
3
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
2
Attempt Attempt
Kim Min-Jae takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
2
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Facundo Tello Figueroa.

CONCLUSION

South Africa claimed a hard-earned 1-0 victory that highlighted their ability to remain compact and clinical even when out-possessed. Korea Republic enjoyed sustained spells of control yet could not translate territorial dominance into a goal. The even expected goals total underscored how fine the margins proved on the night. South Africa stayed organized after the interval and struck at the right moment to break the deadlock. Their defensive discipline limited clear openings for the visitors while the single goal proved sufficient. The performance reinforced South Africa's capacity to punch above their typical weight in structured encounters. Overall the result reflected a pragmatic approach that turned limited resources into maximum reward.