ATLANTA.- Czech Republic and South Africa They tied 1-1 in a duel directed by Tori Pensosole arbitrator of the World Cup 2026this Thursday on the second day of Group A, in which Mexico will qualify for the round of 32 if they later beat South Korea in Guadalajara.
The European team took the lead with a goal Michal Sadilek in the 5th minute and South Africa equalized with a penalty through Teboho Mokoena (83′) after a handball Pavel Suluc in the area indicated by Penso.
The American, the only woman among the 117 referees selected by the FIFA for the tournament, she was accompanied on the wings by her compatriots Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt.
She became the second woman to referee in a World Cup after the French pioneer Stephanie Frappart in Qatar 2022.
In key A, Mexico and South Korea continue to lead having won their first matches, respectively 2-0 against South Africa and 2-1 against the Czech Republic. Whoever wins in Guadalajara will guarantee their place in the round of 32.
In a competition in which the eight best third parties from the 12 groups advance to this round, Czech Republic and South Africa remain alive with one point.
An even duel
In it Atlanta Stadiumin front of 67,500 people, the Czechs, far from offering a brilliant copy, found reward for their best start to the game.
When the minute of play had not expired, their star, Patrik Schick, He had a very clear header, but connected the ball with his shoulder.
It was Sadilek, precise in his shot after a ball from the right that the clueless Bafana Bafana defense was unable to clear, who managed to score.
With this minimum income, the European team lowered the revolutions, but minimized the impact of South Africa, a willing team, although without the necessary level to do real damage to its rival for many minutes of the match.
Bafana Bafana finally woke up in the final stretch. After equalizing from a penalty, they were close to achieving the comeback with several unrewarded attempts at the goalkeeper’s goal. Matej Kovar.
