Game Recap - Soccer Wiretap

South Africa advanced to the World Cup knockout phase for the first time in program history, defeating South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to finish second in Group A behind unbeaten Mexico.

Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute, finishing a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi. South Africa edged South Korea statistically as well, finishing with a 1.10-to-1.00 advantage in xG (expected goals).

Bafana Bafana had previously failed to escape the group stage in 1998, 2002 and as hosts in 2010. The team opened this tournament with a 2-0 loss to Mexico before salvaging a 1-1 draw with Czechia on a late goal, entering Wednesday's match behind both Mexico and a favored South Korea side.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo left captain Son Heung-min out of his starting lineup, a decision that drew scrutiny. The LAFC forward, who has often carried South Korea's attack over the past decade, entered as a halftime substitute but could not produce the result his team needed.

South Korea opened the tournament with a comeback win over Czechia before falling to Mexico in their second match. The team will now need to wait and hope to advance as one of the eight best third-place finishers across all groups.

South Africa will face Canada, the second-place finisher in Group B, in the round of 32 on Sunday in Inglewood, California.

Mexico completed a perfect group stage Wednesday, defeating Czechia 3-0 to secure top spot in Group A and a place in the World Cup knockout rounds. Mexico dominated play, finishing with a 1.79-to-0.47 edge in expected goals.

Alvaro Fidalgo scored the clinching third goal late in the match, capping off the win at Estadio Azteca. The victory gave Mexico three wins in three games to open the tournament.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa entered in the 78th minute, marking his appearance in a sixth World Cup and his fourth time earning minutes at the tournament. A long ball from Ochoa started the sequence that led directly to Fidalgo's goal. The 40-year-old, currently a backup to starter Raul Rangel, received a thunderous ovation from the crowd at a stadium where he built his reputation during a standout career with Club America.

"Obviously, it would be extraordinary. Something really cool for 'Memo.' For me, he's a legend of the Mexican national team," said winger Alexis Vega ahead of the match. "I think he's a player who has always been ready to play for the national team. In the end, 'Vasco' will make the decision. I think the 26 of us here are ready if we get the opportunity."

Rangel, 26, started Mexico's two previous group stage victories over South Korea and South Africa, results that had already clinched the team's place in the knockout rounds.

"Whether it's Memo or whoever plays, everyone is prepared for whatever comes their way," said midfielder Roberto Alvarado. "We'd be happy to see 'Memo' in the net. Obviously, we know that 'Tala' is doing things in the best way possible."

Brazil secured the top spot in Group C with a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, with Vinicius Junior scoring twice and Matheus Cunha adding a third as Neymar also made his first international appearance in three years.

Vinicius capitalized on Scottish defensive errors for both his goals, finishing into an empty net in the seventh minute after a deflected pass and heading home unmarked at the far post in first-half stoppage time. Brazil dominated statistically, finishing with a 4.46-to-1.13 edge in expected goals.

Cunha extended the lead in the 60th minute, easing home a chance after Scotland's defense was disrupted by a physical challenge from Bruno Guimaraes. Neymar entered in the 76th minute to a large ovation from the Brazil-heavy crowd in South Florida, marking his first Brazil minutes since 2023.

Vinicius, 25, became the fifth Brazilian player to score in all three group stage matches at a single World Cup, joining Jairzinho, Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo, each of whom went on to win the title that year. His tally under coach Carlo Ancelotti now stands at seven goals in 13 appearances, compared to six in 39 matches under previous coaches.

Scotland coach Steve Clarke made a halftime change, substituting captain Andy Robertson for Kieran Tierney, which briefly sparked life into the team. Scott McTominay had a clear headed chance saved by Alisson shortly after the restart.

The result advances Brazil to face the Group F runner-up, likely Japan or the Netherlands, in the round of 32 in Houston on Monday. Scotland's hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time in program history now depend on other results, finishing with a goal difference of minus-3.

Substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine scored late goals Wednesday to lift Morocco past Haiti 4-2, ending the Caribbean nation's hopes of earning a first-ever World Cup point.

Haiti, competing on the world's biggest stage for the first time in 52 years, twice took the lead against Morocco. Lenny Joseph opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a back-heeled flick, becoming Haiti's first World Cup scorer since Emmanuel Sanon in 1974. Morocco dominated overall play, finishing with a commanding 3.26-to-0.66 edge in xG (expected goals).

Achraf Hakimi equalized for Morocco in the 39th minute, bundling in a deflected cross that goalkeeper Johny Placide could only partially block. Wilson Isidor restored Haiti's lead four minutes later with a strike from outside the box, before Ismael Saibari leveled again in stoppage time, his third goal of the tournament, to make it 2-2 at halftime.

Rahimi's deflected shot put Morocco ahead for good in the 78th minute, and Yassine sealed the result with a goal in the 89th.

The victory secured Morocco's place in the round of 32, finishing second in Group C behind Brazil, who defeated Scotland 3-0 in the other group match. Morocco, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion and the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal four years ago in Qatar, had ambitions of another deep run but received a scare from a Haitian side ranked 74 places lower in the FIFA standings.

Breel Embolo set up two second-half goals as Switzerland defeated co-host Canada 2-1 on Wednesday in Vancouver, clinching first place in Group B and dashing Canada's hopes of a knockout-round match on home soil.

The match remained scoreless through a tense first half, with both sides squandering chances. Embolo saw an early shot blocked by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, while Cyle Larin forced a save from Gregor Kobel after running onto a pass from Jonathan David. Canada finished with a 1.66-to-1.11 edge in xG (expected goals) despite the result.

Switzerland broke through 40 seconds into the second half, with Embolo dispossessing Alistair Johnston and crossing for Ruben Vargas to finish at the near post. Johan Manzambi added a second in the 57th minute after Crepeau failed to hold a shot following a setup from Embolo.

Substitute Promise David pulled Canada within a goal in the 76th minute, converting a cross from Nathan Saliba. Johnston nearly leveled deep into stoppage time but could not direct his header past Kobel.

The win kept Switzerland unbeaten and secured top spot in Group B over Bosnia-Herzegovina on head-to-head record. Coach Jesse Marsch's side will return to Vancouver for their round of 32 match, while Canada finishes second and must travel to Los Angeles for their knockout fixture.

Bosnia-Herzegovina eliminated Qatar from the World Cup with a 3-1 victory Wednesday, strengthening their position to advance to the round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-place finishers.

Kerim Alajbegovic, 18, opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a powerful shot from 20 yards, becoming the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history and the youngest ever for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnia finished with a 1.57-to-1.02 edge in xG (expected goals).

Sead Kolasinac set up a second goal in the 34th minute, with a deflected Edin Dzeko volley going in off Qatar defender Sultan Al-Brake for an own goal. Hassan Al Haydos answered for Qatar in the 42nd minute to keep the match competitive, but Ermin Mahmic restored Bosnia's two-goal cushion in the 80th minute.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, appearing in just their second World Cup after debuting in Brazil in 2014, would reach the knockout stage for the first time in program history if they advance as a third-place qualifier. The eight best third-place finishers across all 12 groups earn spots in the round of 32, with Bosnia's likely opponent being one of the tournament's co-hosts in the United States.

Qatar finished the tournament without a win. Earlier Wednesday, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo received a five-match ban for a tackle that broke the leg of Canada's Ismael Kone during their June 18 meeting.

Canada lost to Switzerland in the other Group A match Wednesday, finishing second in the standings and setting up a round of 32 trip within the United States.

Daniel Munoz scored for the second consecutive match Tuesday, leading Colombia to a 1-0 victory over Congo DR and securing a place in the World Cup last 32.

The Crystal Palace fullback finally beat Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi 14 minutes from time, his shot deflecting in at the near post. Colombia dominated possession throughout, registering eight shots in the first 20 minutes alone and finishing with a 0.98-to-0.37 edge in expected goals.

Mpasi produced a string of saves to keep the match level before Munoz's breakthrough, denying Jhon Arias, James Rodriguez and Gustavo Puerta. Luis Diaz also had an effort deflect wide after passing through the goalkeeper's legs.

Congo DR created an early chance through Edo Kayembe, who fired over the bar in the opening minutes, but offered little else before tightening up defensively after the hydration break. Yoane Wissa nearly capitalized on a loose back pass later in the match.

Diaz twice beat Mpasi in the minutes following Munoz's goal, but both efforts were disallowed, one for a push on a defender and the other for offside. Mpasi made another save off Juan Quintero before goalkeeper Camilo Vargas faced his first shot on target in stoppage time, turning away a long-range attempt from Nathanael Mbuku and smothering a header from Chancel Mbemba.

The result leaves Congo DR needing a win over Uzbekistan in their final group match to keep their knockout hopes alive.

Substitute Ante Budimir scored four minutes after entering the match Tuesday, lifting Croatia to a 1-0 victory over Panama and eliminating Los Canaleros from the World Cup.

Josip Stanisic delivered a curving cross that Budimir tapped into an open net in the 54th minute at BMO Field. Croatia controlled the match statistically, finishing with a 1.63-to-0.54 edge in xG (expected goals).

Croatia nearly doubled the lead three minutes later when 40-year-old Luka Modric, making his 200th international appearance, set up Marco Pasalic on a breakaway. Goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera denied the effort to keep Panama within a goal.

Panama generated their best chance of the match in the 67th minute, producing three consecutive attempts on goal. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic responded with a trio of saves, getting a hand on the final shot to deflect it over the bar.

The loss eliminated Panama, who remain without a point through two World Cup appearances. Croatia stayed alive in the group stage and will face Ghana in their final match Saturday.

Group L will be decided that day, with England and Ghana tied atop the group on four points and Croatia sitting on three. England face Panama in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while Ghana and Croatia meet in Philadelphia.

Harry Kane missed a golden chance in the 86th minute as England's World Cup campaign hit a snag with a 0-0 draw against Ghana on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium.

England dominated possession at 79 percent, the highest by any team to fail scoring in a World Cup match over the past 60 years, and outshot Ghana 19-1. England finished with a 1.28-to-0.29 edge in expected goals, though Kane's missed opportunity carried an xG of 0.33 on its own.

The chance arrived after Nico O'Reilly's header bounced off the crossbar, falling invitingly for Kane. England's all-time leading scorer, who had netted twice in the opening win over Croatia, blasted the rebound well over the bar and immediately put his head in his hands.

"You go through games like that," said Kane. "I was waiting for an opportunity like that to fall my way and it was a game as a striker where you are just waiting for the ball to bounce. It did and I just couldn't quite get over the ball.

"Yeah, I'd back myself to score that more often than not, but it is what it is and I've been a striker long enough to know they don't always go in, so I have to accept it."

Ghana's best chance came in the 78th minute when Abdul Fatawu beat England's Eberechi Eze down the sideline and fed Prince Adu, who was challenged by Ezri Konsa before getting off a shot.

"Look, we wanted the win but we take the point and we're still in a great position in the group," Kane added.

The result leaves Ghana with four points and in strong position to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2010. England, who remain unbeaten against African opposition at the World Cup across nine meetings, are also well-positioned to advance.

England face Panama in their final group match Saturday, while Ghana take on Croatia at the same time.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to score in six different World Cups, finding the net twice as Portugal routed Uzbekistan 5-0 on Tuesday in Group K.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a near-post finish, ending a goalless run that had stretched back to November 2022. Nuno Mendes converted shortly after when Ronaldo opted to set up a free kick rather than take it himself. Ronaldo then raced onto a through ball to make it 3-0 before halftime. Portugal dominated throughout, finishing with a commanding 2.43-to-0.25 edge in xG (expected goals).

A deflected effort off Abdukodir Khusanov and Abduvohid Nematov extended the lead to four in the second half, before Rafael Leao completed the rout late on. Ronaldo pushed for a hat trick but was denied by a save from goalkeeper Nematov.

The result followed heavy criticism of Ronaldo and coach Roberto Martinez after Portugal's 1-1 draw with Congo DR. Ronaldo, 41, was named man of the match.

"God helps those who work hard. I knew my teammates would help out too," said Ronaldo. "It was a difficult week, a dark week. It felt like I'd retired from soccer. But I hung in there, as I always do, because I believe in hard work more than anything else."

"We've improved; that's just how life is," Ronaldo continued. "We face setbacks during games and in life, but the main goal is always to improve. And that's what we did."

The performance made Ronaldo the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history at 41 years and 138 days, behind only Cameroon's Roger Milla. He and Argentina's Lionel Messi remain the only players to appear in six World Cups, though Ronaldo has now scored in every edition he has played, while Messi went without a goal in 2010. Messi leads the all-time World Cup scoring chart with 18 goals to Ronaldo's 10.

Portugal improved to four points in Group K ahead of their finale against Colombia in Miami on Saturday.