World Cup Group Stage - 2
Czechia 1 - 1 FT South Africa
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
6' M. Sadilek (A. Sojka)
T. Mokoena 33'
T. Mbatha 40'
HT
↓ J. Adams ↑R. Mofokeng 46'
55' ↓ V. Darida ↑P. Sulc
55' ↓ A. Sojka ↑J. Zeleny
↓ I. Rayners ↑E. Makgopa 66'
67' ↓ A. Hlozek ↑L. Provod
67' ↓ M. Sadilek ↑T. Soucek
75' L. Krejci
78' ↓ L. Cerv ↑D. Zima
T. Mokoena 83'
↓ T. Maseko ↑K. Sebelebele 84'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Czechia
Goalkeepers
Matěj Kovář 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Tomáš Holeš
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Robin Hranáč
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ladislav Krejčí 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
71%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Vladimír Coufal 
ARCHITECT
5
Key Passes
5
Key Passes
0
Assists
13%
Pass Acc
Vladimír Darida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
Lukáš Červ
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Michal Sadílek 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Alexandr Sojka 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.2
Rating
Forwards
Patrik Schick
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Adam Hložek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
BENCH
Jindřich Staněk 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Lukáš Horníček
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jaroslav Zelený
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
41
Total Mins
Started
Entry
David Zima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Štěpán Chaloupek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pavel Šulc 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
6.3
Rating
Tomáš Souček
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lukáš Provod
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
David Douděra
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hugo Sochurek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Denis Višinský
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jan Kuchta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mojmír Chytil
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tomáš Chorý
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
South Africa
Goalkeepers
Ronwen Williams 
MAGNET
64
Activity
64
Activity
63
Passes
1
Duels
Defenders
Khuliso Mudau
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ime Okon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mbekezeli Mbokazi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aubrey Modiba
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
6
Tackles
88%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Thalente Mbatha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Teboho Mokoena 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Jayden Adams
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Forwards
Thapelo Maseko
LATE SHIFT
6
Late Mins
6
Late Mins
84
Total Mins
84
Entry
Iqraam Rayners
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Oswin Appollis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Sipho Chaine
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ricardo Goss
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Tholo Thabang Matuludi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Khulumani Ndamane
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Samukelo Kabini
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nkosinathi Sibisi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Olwethu Makhanya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bradley Cross
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kamogelo Sebelebele
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Relebohile Mofokeng
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
51
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Evidence Makgopa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tshepang Moremi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lyle Foster
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
| Pos | Team | P | Pts | GF | GA | GD | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | DPortugal 1 - 1 Congo DR (17-06-2026) |
| 2 | Congo DR | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | DPortugal 1 - 1 Congo DR (17-06-2026) |
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -3
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Late Penalty Rescue Leaves World Cup Hopes Hanging by a Thread
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 52/100. A desperate battle for tournament survival at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ends in a gripping draw that leaves both nations clinging to their World Cup dreams.
The Lightning Ambush
Czechia struck like lightning at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to shock their opponents right out of the gate. Just six minutes into this crucial group stage encounter, Michal Sadílek seized upon a brilliant, defense-splitting feed from A. Sojka to break the deadlock in spectacular fashion. It was a classic tournament ambush, immediately establishing a rhythm for a clash where the Intensity was palpable from the very first whistle. However, the early advantage forced a dramatic shift in the tactical landscape of the pitch. Rather than crumbling under the sudden deficit, South Africa calmly regrouped and began to dictate the overall tempo. They dominated possession to the tune of 61%, methodically working the ball around the park. Their disciplined build-up play forced the Europeans into a deep defensive block, setting up a fascinating strategic battle.
The High-Volume Siege
As the second half wore on, the Balance of power shifted almost entirely toward the chasing side. The match evolved into a remarkably high-volume shooting gallery, with the two desperate squads combining for a staggering 29 total attempts. South Africa kept knocking on the door, pressing high up the pitch and forcing critical midfield errors to sustain their momentum. Their relentless siege finally paid dividends in the 83rd minute when the referee dramatically pointed to the spot following a frantic penalty area scramble. Stepping up under immense international pressure, Teboho Mokoena made absolutely no mistake. He dispatched the crucial penalty with pure ice in his veins, dragging his proud nation back from the absolute brink of elimination and sending the traveling green-and-gold supporters into an absolute frenzy.
Mathematical Miracles Required
The 1-1 final whistle leaves both teams staring directly down the barrel of an early group stage exit. Stuck on just one solitary point apiece with only a single match remaining, the Stakes could genuinely not be higher heading into the conclusive matchday. Czechia will deeply rue their inability to protect an early lead despite managing an impressive 14 shots of their own on the counter-attack. Meanwhile, South Africa might reasonably feel they deserved all three points given their total control of the midfield territory and passing rhythm. Ultimately, this fiercely hard-fought point keeps the mathematical flame alive for both camps, but they will undoubtedly need a minor miracle to escape the bottom half of the group.
Key Questions
What does this mean for Czechia's season?
Stuck on one point after two matches, Czechia faces a must-win scenario in their final group game to have any hope of advancing.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Desperation meets a lack of firepower
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 37/100. With Group Stage survival hanging by a thread, this fixture promises plenty of tension but severely lacks the quality to be a must-watch affair.
The Setup
June 18, 2026, brings us to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a World Cup clash where the Stakes could not be higher. Yet, our verdict is clear: you can comfortably skip this one. South Africa enter the pitch trailing from a bitter 2-0 defeat in their opener. Their dismal Form suggests deep-rooted issues. Czech Republic sit alongside them at the bottom of the group with zero points. A dire Stars rating confirms neither side boasts the marquee talent to drag them out of the mud single-handedly. We see a modest Balance advantage for the European side, but expect a disjointed, nervy contest.
Key Battle
Expect a gritty, uninspiring war of attrition in the middle of the park. The Czech midfield unit will attempt to dictate the tempo and exploit a vulnerable South African backline that already leaked two goals. If the Africans cannot tighten their defensive structure, it will be a long evening.
Our Prediction
The Czechs hold the upper hand in tactical discipline. South Africa's desperation will leave gaps, allowing the European side to nick a gritty 1-0 victory.