The Czech Republic national football team drew 1-1 with South Africa, losing their chance to advance to the knockout stage. The Czechs led with Michal Sadílek's goal, which was the fastest goal of the tournament. However, the Czech team gradually lost control of the game. After an unfortunate handball by Pavel Šulc in the 81st minute, Teboho Mokoena converted a penalty. Miroslav Koubek's team, despite their first point after the initial 1-2 loss to Korea, moved further away from advancing to the knockout stage. In the final group stage match, they will face Mexico in the Mexican capital and will need to defeat the home favorite to participate in the playoffs. Coach Miroslav Koubek made five changes to the lineup compared to the match against Korea. Defender Holeš, striker Hložek, and midfielders Červ, Sadílek, and Darida, the oldest member of the Czech team at the tournament, were given a chance. Former captain Souček, Chaloupek, Zelený, and offensive midfielders Šulc and Provodem started on the bench. The Czechs started actively and could have opened the scoring after just one minute, but Schick's header did not work out and he missed the target. A little later, the favorite was already leading. After a quick throw-in, Hložek returned the ball in front of the penalty area, Sojka touched it to Sadílek, and he scored after five minutes and nine seconds from the kick-off. The match in Atlanta started at noon, at a stadium that was not completely sold out, but due to the air conditioning, the conditions were favorable. The winners of the 1996 African championship recovered from a poor start and held the ball more often until halftime, but they practically did not create any chances. Only in the added time of the first half did the ball slip out of goalkeeper Kovář's hands, but Maseko's shot was blocked by captain Krejčí. The Czechs also started the second half more actively. In the 47th minute, after a counterattack, Darida did not ideally receive the ball, and his attempt was deflected by a defender, and Červ's subsequent long-range shot was caught by goalkeeper Williams. The South African goalkeeper also caught Schick's header after a corner. Coach Koubek made substitutions, gradually sending Šulc, Zelený, Souček, Provod, and Zima onto the pitch. The Czech team, like in the first half, also withdrew after a good start and defended more after the change of sides. They did not allow the South Africans to create chances for a long time, but eventually, they paid for their passivity. In the 81st minute, Maseko hit the hand of substitute Šulc in the penalty area, and American referee Pensová immediately awarded a penalty. Mokoena did not hesitate and sent Kovář the wrong way with the penalty kick. The Czechs conceded a goal in their sixth match under Koubek. In the end, the South Africans pushed for a win, as if they had more strength. In the added time, substitute Zima blocked a shot at the last minute. The second mutual match between the two teams also ended in a draw. The Czech team has not won their fourth match in a row at the World Championships. In their previous participation 20 years ago, they also failed to beat an African opponent in the second group stage match, losing 0-2 to Ghana.