Wednesday night was a memorable one for South Africa, who beat South Korea to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time ever.
Understandably, the South African players were on a high at full-time – though they might have overdone the celebrations just a touch.
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A lack of respect?
Footage appeared on social media showing members of the Bafana Bafana team singing in the mixed press zone at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico – much to the displeasure of South Korea’s Hwang In-beom.
The chanting interrupted South Korean players talking to the media, with Hwang voicing his frustration.
According to the South China Morning Post, the Feyenoord midfielder told a South African staff member to ‘show some f****** respect’ in the circumstances.
Hwang has arguably been South Korea’s standout performer at the 2026 World Cup, scoring and assisting in their opening win over the Czech Republic.
That being said, the 29-year-old was unable to make his mark on proceedings in his country’s third and final group game.
Thapelo Maseko’s second-half goal ensured South Africa advanced to the Round of 32 as Group A runners-up.
The victory completed an impressive recovery by Hugo Broos’ side, who lost 2-0 and had two players sent off in the tournament curtain-raiser against Mexico.
Bafana Bafana will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles this Sunday for a place in the last 16.
As for South Korea, they must wait to find out their fate after finishing third in the group, losing their second and third matches.
With the World Cup expanded to 48 teams, the eight best third-placed teams go into the last 32,
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Bosnia and Herzegovina were the first side confirmed to make it through that way, having beaten Qatar 3-1 in Group B on Wednesday.
Brazil, Germany, Morocco, Switzerland, Argentina and the other two co-hosts, Mexico and the USA, have also booked their places in the knockout stage.
The remaining groups conclude in the coming days, with Scotland among the countries whose fates also hang in the balance.
Scotland’s 3-0 defeat to Brazil on Wednesday leaves them needing favours elsewhere to have any chance of a first-ever major tournament knockout appearance.
Speaking after the loss, boss Steve Clarke seemed resigned to making an early exit from the tournament.
“For sure I think we’re going home,” Clarke said after Vinicius Junior’s brace and a goal from Matheus Cunha downed the Scots in Miami.
