GUADALUPE, Mexico -- South Africa advanced to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Wednesday.

Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute off a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi and South Africa finished in second place in Group A behind Mexico, who won all three of its group-stage games.

South Africa will take on Canada, the second-place finisher in Group B, in a knockout game Sunday at Inglewood, California. South Korea will now have to wait and hope that they advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

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Bafana Bafana had failed to advance from the group stage in 1998, 2002 and as host in 2010.

South Africa opened their World Cup with a 2-0 loss to Mexico before using a late goal to earn a 1-1 draw with Czechia. They entered their final group-stage game trailing Mexico and favored South Korea before shocking the Taegeuk Warriors.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo made a shocking selection call by leaving captain Son Heung-Min out of his startling lineup. The LAFC star, who has at times singlehandedly carried South Korea's hopes for the past decade, was introduced as a substitute at halftime but couldn't help his side get the draw they needed to ensure a place in the knockout phase.

South Korea opened this World Cup with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Czechia and lost to Mexico 1-0 in their second game.

South Korea became the first Asian team to reach the knockout rounds in 2002, when they finished fourth overall. The Taegeuk Warriors also advanced out of the group stage in 2022 and 2010, both times reaching the round of 16.

The Associated Press and ESPN's Gabriel Tan contributed to this report.