Nine African teams have reached the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after the final round of group-stage matches.
Africa enjoyed a record-breaking conclusion to the FIFA World Cup group stage as nine of the continent’s 10 representatives secured places in the Round of 32, the highest number of African teams ever to reach the knockout stage of the tournament. Tunisia were the only African side to miss out on qualification.
The final round of group-stage matches produced decisive results as Africa’s teams battled for places in the Round of 32. South Africa continued their fairytale campaign by reaching the knockout stage for the first time, while Morocco, Egypt, Cape Verde and Ivory Coast confirmed qualification as group runners-up. Algeria, Senegal, Ghana and DR Congo also progressed as some of the best third-placed teams in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Here’s a look at the teams’ performance in Matchday Three.
South Africa 1-0 South Korea
South Africa made history by defeating South Korea 1-0 to secure second place in Group A and qualify for the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike sealed a famous victory, setting up a Round of 32 meeting with Canada.
Morocco 4-2 Haiti
Morocco recovered from an early setback to beat Haiti 4-2 and finish second in Group C behind Brazil. Goals from Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi and Amine Gouiri completed an impressive comeback as the Atlas Lions comfortably booked their place in the Round of 32.
Ivory Coast 2-0 Curaçao
Ivory Coast produced a composed display to defeat Curaçao 2-0 and secure qualification from Group E. The victory ensured the Elephants advanced as group runners-up and extended Africa’s strong showing in the tournament.
Egypt 1-1 Iran
Egypt earned the point they needed with a 1-1 draw against Iran to finish second in Group G and qualify for the knockout rounds.
Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia
Tournament debutants Cape Verde held Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw, a result that proved enough to send the Blue Sharks through as Group H runners-up, capping an impressive first-ever World Cup group-stage campaign.
Senegal 5-0 Iraq
Senegal kept their hopes alive with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Iraq. Although they finished third in Group I, the convincing win was enough to earn one of the tournament’s best third-placed qualification spots.
Ghana 1-2 Croatia
Despite suffering a narrow defeat to Croatia, Ghana advanced as one of the best third-placed teams after results elsewhere worked in their favour.
DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan
DR Congo completed a remarkable comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1, recording their first-ever World Cup victory and reaching the knockout stage for the first time since their 1974 appearance as Zaire. Yoane Wissa scored twice as the Leopards booked a Round of 32 clash with England.
Algeria 3-3 Austria
Algeria secured the point they needed in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria to finish among the best third-placed teams and qualify for the Round of 32, completing a historic day for African football.
Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands
Tunisia’s hopes of progressing came to an end after a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands. The Carthage Eagles became the only African team eliminated in the group stage.
Summary
Matchday Three marked a watershed moment for African football. Nine countries, Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ghana, DR Congo and Algeria, progressed to the Round of 32.
Attention now turns to the knockout rounds, which begin today, Sunday, with South Africa becoming the first African side in action when Bafana Bafana take on Canada in Los Angeles. Morocco will face the Netherlands on Monday, while the remaining African teams will learn whether their impressive group-stage performances can translate into deep runs in the tournament.
With nine teams still standing, Africa has an opportunity to leave an even bigger mark on the World Cup. If the teams can build on the momentum of the group stage, we may see another unprecedented number of African teams progressing to the Round of 16.
