Brazil, Switzerland, and Mexico through, South Africa make history

Bafana Bafana advance to knockout phase for the first time

Brazil, Switzerland, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and South Africa secured places in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage after a dramatic final round of group matches yesterday, with Brazil maintaining their title credentials through a commanding victory over Scotland while South Africa reached the last 32 for the first time in their history.

Switzerland 2-1 Canada

Johan Manzambi was once again the man for the Nati. The Genevan created the first and netted the second as Marat Yakin’s side raced ahead. Substitute Promise Daivd halved the deficit, but the Swiss held on to ensure they will stay in British Columbia for the last 32 and send Canada to California.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar

Sergej Barbarez’s boys began the day with it all to do, and ended it in knockout phase. The youngest and oldest players on the pitch propelled the Dragons into a deserved two-goal lead, Alajbegovic firing home from outside the box before Edin Dzeko’s cross was turned into his own net by Mahmoud Abunada. Hassan Al-Haydos pulled one back and Pedro Miguel cracked the post, but substitute Ermin Mahmic’s deflected drive put the result beyond doubt.

Scotland 0-3 Brazil

Scots and Brazilians put on one of the most electrifying atmospheres in World Cup history. Then the South Americans put on a show. Vinicius was its headline act, while Matheus Cunha got his third goal in two starts, Bruno Guimaraes registered two assists, teenager Rayan radiated, and Alisson kept a clean sheet. The decibel levels hit their most deafening in minute 76, when Neymar was sent on for his first international appearance in almost three years. Scotland now need several other results to go their way to be able to stay alive in these finals.

Morocco 4-2 Haiti

The Atlas Lions pocketed the points. Les Grenadiers also finished as figurative victors. Haiti stunned Morocco twice, their second a goal-of-the-tournament contender from Wilson Isidor. Morocco nevertheless rallied, with Hakimi getting and goal and an assist and Ismael Saibari scoring again. It wasn’t enough to eclipse Brazil, but Mohamed Ouahbi’s men will head to Monterrey confident of another deep World Cup run.

Czechia 0-3 Mexico

El Tri had already secured top spot. That didn’t stop them exhilarating their impassioned supporters and winning emphatically. Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones and Alvaro Fidalgo got the goals. Forty-year-old Guillermo Ochoa, at his sixth World Cup, raised the roof when he came on as a substitute. Czechia go home from their first World Cup in 20 years with just a point.

South Africa 1-0 Korea Republic

Bafana Bafana are in the knockout phase of the global finals for the first time. The Taegeuk Warriors will have to hope other results go their way. Hong Myungbo’s side required only a draw, but Thapelo Maseko’s unerring finish nicked victory for Hugo Broos and his boys.

Stats

Kerim Alajbegovic, at the age of 18 years and 276 days, became the youngest goalscorer from outside the penalty area in World Cup history.

Ruben Vargas took only 39 seconds to score the fastest second-half goal in the World Cup in 16 years.

Ismael Saibari became the first player outside Europe or South America to score in each of his team’s first three games at a World Cup.

Some superb saves from Alisson helped Brazil become the first nation to register 50 World Cup clean sheets.