South Africa's World Cup Group Stage Report Card: A comeback for the ages
For many, Thursday will be just another Thursday. InSouth Africa, though, in the dead of morning, it will be known as the "Miracle in Monterrey," as a team who embarrassed themselves in theWorld Cupopening. . .
For many, Thursday will be just another Thursday. InSouth Africa, though, in the dead of morning, it will be known as the "Miracle in Monterrey," as a team who embarrassed themselves in theWorld Cupopening game somehow found magic in Mexico to make it to their first-ever knockout stage. They couldn't do it 16 years ago when they hosted, but finally, South Africa is playing in the second round of the World Cup. What final grade will I give them, though, for this feat?Let's see. More news:Brazil’s World Cup Group Stage Report Card: It’s Vinicius Jr. ’s Time. . . More news:Scotland’s World Cup Group Stage Report Card: The Fans Deserved BetterExpectationPre-Tournament Ranking: #44I had zero faith in South Africa. They weren't my lowest ranked team in the tournament, but they were surely close. Once I saw that they had to play the opening game in Mexico City against Mexico, I already put a loss in their standings without thinking twice about it. And when it came to their other opponents, though South Korea and Czechia aren't monsters, I thought that South Africa would have difficulties even getting a point from either of them. RealityThe first game couldn't have gone worse for South Africa. Not only did they lose 2-0, but they humiliated themselves on the global stage by getting two red cards against Mexico and looking like a team that didn't deserve to be at the World Cup. In their second game against Czechia, they shocked by somehow getting a draw out of it and keeping their hopes of advancing alive for the final match day against South Korea. Even after their draw, though, it was more that I thought less of Czechia than thinking South Africa could do anything against their Asian rival. Well, South Africa made me and South Korea look foolish in Monterrey, the African nation grabbing a goal in the second half and never looking back. While the Koreans put up a halfhearted attempt to get back into the game, South Africa put their hearts and bodies on the line in the closing minutes to keep the ball out of the net. They not only redeemed themselves for the Mexico debacle, but have become legends in their home country with this group stage comeback. Now, with all the momentum in the world, they head to Los Angeles to play Canada in the Round of 32, a game where they could actually make it to the Round of 16. From off the floor to onto the next round, I can't give South Africa anything but the highest grade. Final Grade: A+