Czechia1–1South Africa

Czechia came out fast — Schick's early header was inches off target, then Michal Sadílek made it count in the 6th, finishing a low pass from Alexandr Sojka to put the Czechs ahead before South Africa had settled in. Ladislav Krejčí kept testing Ronwen Williams with headers off Coufal crosses, but couldn't add a second, and Williams more than held his own — denying Lukáš Červ and Patrik Schick in back-to-back saves right after the break. South Africa's first-half response leaned heavily on fouling: Teboho Mokoena and Thalente Mbatha both picked up yellows before the 40th minute, while Modiba, Rayners and Mokoena himself tested Matěj Kovář from distance without much luck. Krejčí picked up a yellow of his own in the 75th, and South Africa made the most of the momentum — Mokoena stepped up in the 83rd and converted a penalty to level it at 1-1. Both keepers stayed busy to the finish: Kovář denied Evidence Makgopa twice and Relebohile Mofokeng once in the closing minutes, while Williams kept out a string of late headers and long-range efforts. Neither side could find a winner, and a point apiece leaves Group A wide open heading into matchday three.