South Africa salvage draw with late penalty after Czechs take early lead

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Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v South Africa - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 18, 2026 South Africa's Teboho Mokoena scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v South Africa - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 18, 2026 South Africa's Mbekezeli Mbokazi in action with Czech Republic's Adam Hlozek and Michal Sadilek REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v South Africa - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 18, 2026 South Africa's Teboho Mokoena scores their first goal from the penalty spot past Czech Republic's Matej Kovar REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v South Africa - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 18, 2026 Czech Republic's Michal Sadilek in action IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v South Africa - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 18, 2026 South Africa's Teboho Mokoena celebrates scoring their first goal with Thalente Mbatha and Aubrey Modiba REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

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ATLANTA, June 18 : South Africa scored a penalty seven minutes from fulltime as they fought back to draw 1-1 with the Czech Republic at the World Cup on Thursday after falling behind early in the Group A clash.

Teboho Mokoena slotted home the spotkick after Pavel Sulc's handball handed the South Africans a lifeline as they were staring at potential early elimination.

The Czechs led from the sixth minute when Michal Sadilek struck home after a clever slipped pass from Alexandr Sojka following Adam Hlozek’s delivery from the right wing.

Both teams now have a point after losing their respective opening games last Thursday.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Atlanta; Editing by Toby Davis)

Source: Reuters

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