Czechia 1-1 South Africa: World Cup – as it happened

Aha! Sid Lowe’s report is here, which means it’s time for me to do one. Thanks all for your company and comments, and do join Daniel Gallan for Switzerland v Bosnia.

Otherwise, that’s it from me; peace out. Thinking back about what Broos says, I wonder if he’s underestimating South Korea. I rate them the best team in the group, and he’ll have to hope they beat Mexico so are already through – but even then, they’ll want to finish top.

“As much as South Africa didn’t deserve a goal,” says Kári Tulinius, “Czechia didn’t deserve their lead either. They’ve been as proactive as a block of cheese in the second half. ” Absolutely.

I’m glad it was a draw because neither side did enough to attack the win. The way Tuchel used his subs yesterday reminded me a little of when Arsenal beat Bayern in the Champions League league stages, the difference in that game the power of the athletes Mikel Arteta had on his bench. That wasn’t the reason England won, but it was very helpful in how they saw the game out.

I must say, I think Benni’s analysis makes more sense – this was the game they had to go for it, he responds, and he doesn’t think they’ve much chance against South Korea. Ashley Williams, alongside him in the BBC studio, thinks the difference is that McCarthy has played at a high level so has higher standards and expectation. McCarthy agrees – he doesn’t think they should be pleased getting a point against European opposition.

Huge Broos, the SA manager, is “very proud” of his team; “this is Bafana Bafana”. ” Asked about the crowd supporting his boys, he says they picked the right team. 95 head the ball and kind of push it back … so again, fantastic performance,” but he’s upset it’s only finished 1-1.

He knows it’ll be difficult against South Korea, but if they play as they did today, it’s possible. Thomas Tuchel is now so ensconced as an English politician, he thinks everyone is in the pub, all of the time. Our Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina blog is under way… Back to the important business, “No one’s mentioned Shippam’s pastes,” chides David C Hunter.

“Crab, salmon, sardines, and the ever popular bloater! ” I guess I’m kind of saying, yes, again, that a penalty is too severe a punishment for the majority of offences which result in one. I’d give them for an infringement which denies a goalscoring opportunity, anywhere on the pitch, and otherwise, a direct free-kick.

Watching the penalty again, Sulc is so close to Maseko, whose front arm is tight to his body, but it hits the back one, which isn’t in an unnatural position. In the Premier League, I don’t think it gets given, and I can’t for the life of me fathom why anyone would feel an 80% chance of a goal was suitable punishment for something in no way done carelessly or deliberately. In the BBC studio, Benni McCarthy is really disappointed and rightly so.

Had Mokoena’s teammates played with the same intensity as he did, SA might’ve won, and again, they paid for a slow start. Again, Czechia fail to hold a lead, but they got what they deserved, missing chances and sitting back. SA, meantime, were very poor once more, slow of pass and of thought, while playing almost as tentatively as against Mexico.

Both teams need a win in their final game to progress. 90+6 min Makgopa, who’s made a difference, brings the ball down, holds it up, turns, and bundles past his man, but his shot is poor and Kovar saves. But SA maintain pressure, working a shooting opportunity for Modiba, on the edge … and he almost misses his kick entirely, shinning into his standing leg.

90+5 min Suddenly this is frantic, the teams suddenly playing like this is the World Cup. 90+4 min Nice from Sulc down the left, beating his man and crossing low, but Schick’s movement offers him little to go on, and Mokoena does enough to get in the road … then Provod fires wide. 90_+3 min Holes into Coufal, who touches inside for Soucek, whose pass into the box seeks and finds Sulc … but out of nowhere, Mokoena nashes back at him, making a vital tackle.

He’s been the best player on the pitch by far. 90+1 min Given the extent to which Czechia seem to be relying on set-pieces, it’s surprising they’re not properly drilled in them. The ball comes in, Zeleny heads into Soucek, and SA clear.

90 min We’ll have seven additional minutes, and Czechia have a free-kick out on the left, Coufal to swing in. 89 min Mafokeng shoots low and Kovar again spills it, but no one gambles. Meantime, Czechia have decided to start playing again, which tells us their previous poverty was probably cowardice, protecting what they had when more was there to be taken.

87 min Now Czechia attack, Zeleny teasing a ball into the box … for no one. This is, by some distance, the worst I’ve seen two sides play in this tournament. 85 min Immediately, SA look for a winner, and Czechia will be fearing a repeat of their agonising first-game reverse.

They’ve only themselves to blame: not just for the missed chances, but for sitting on a lead against a side playing like it’s not even sure what football is. Mokoena closes eyes, exchanges some words with the big lad upstairs, and lashes into the bottom left as Kovar flings himself right. I can’t think if many less merited goals, but here we are.

Can someone find a winner? 82 min Mokoena will take, about the only South African I’d trust even to make contact with the ball, and Czechia will be feeling very poorly, given the chances they’ve missed to make this safe. This is some serious pressure.

81 min That was not coming, apart from the fact that it arrived. Maseko comes in off the right and hammers a cross which hits Sulc’s arm. I don’t know, it was very close, his arm was neither out nor up, and the ref was very quick to give it.

I don’t see how you get out of the way of that, and if those are the laws, it’s time to aim for hands. A very poor call, in mine. 79 min Again, the free-kick goes short, but this time, a decent pass follows, punched low along the carpet to Appollis … whose first touch is poor burt wins him a corner off Holes.

It comes to nothing. 78 min Mokoena, who’s been the best of an awful lot, zips through midfield, so Soucek hauls him down. Somehow, he’s not booked – Mokoena does well not see a second yellow himself, gesticulating to the ref for one to be awarded.

78 min Another change for Czehcia, Zima replacing Cerv, who’s limping a bit. 75 min Mofokeng into Maseko, who tries to turn, but before he can complete, he’s flattened by Krejci; booking, and a free-kick 25 yards out, right of centre. SA, down 1-0 and 15 minutes away form a second defeat, have four defenders back.

And then the ball goes square, not into the box, and the chance expires. WHYWHYWHYWHY. si=kSOotHp-KWKKZLt4&t=14 73 min In comms, Stephen Warnock notes that the hydration breaks give it the feel of a pre-season friendly, and SA are playing in that spirit.

I can’t think of many more tepid performances than this and their first, Maseko curling into the as I speak and Mokoena nodding into the ground and straight to Kovar. I’m sure they’re not doing it on purpose, but were has their intensity gone? I fear they’ll be hearing some opinions upon their return.

72 min We go again, Fifa’s wallet imperceptibly fatter – which makes us all feel warm and cosy. 71 min I hate to say it, but SA look devoid of ideas as to how they might score. They’re not even loading the box and putting in crosses.

68 min Loud boos again as the ref signals for an ad break. I hope it’s this one. 66 min Another Czechia change, try saying that with a mouth full of Marmite … but SA go first, Makgopa on for Rayners, then Soucek and Provod replace Sadilek and Hlozek.

63 min I’ll level with you, I can’t see either of these teams winning against whoever they were to play in the last 32. So let’s go to James Humphries, with more toast thoughts: “A lot of Pep-style overthinking going on here regardig spreads, when the obvious winning move is toast and marmite. It’s the position of maximum opportunity of things to put on your toast, according to my arbitrary methodology!

Which I guess... makes me the Charles Reep of breakfast? Hmm.

” Can I perpetrate a flex? I’m ambivalent to Marmite – which, tangentially, was the word kids in my mum’s school would say when blowing saliva bubbles. 62 min Appollis, who’s been the liveliest of the South African players, comes deep and slips in Mudau, again the outlet.

But he goes early, so the offside flag follows suit. 59 min Zeleny hangs on to the ball longer than seems wise, but actually, he’s waiting for Sadilek to fill a space, after which he finds him with a terrific reverse-pass. It ought to prompt an instashot, the angle there to send a low one towards the far corner, but instead he checks, hoping for a better lane, and the opportunity expires.

58 min Cerv is down, I’m not sure why, and we see a replay in which Mofokeng seems to gently brush him. There is no sanction. 57 min Okon brings the ball out of defence and plays a searching pass in behind, seeking Maseko, but he shoves Krejci and Czechia bring the ball away.

55 min Two changes for Czechia, Darida and Sojka coming off with Zeleny and Sulc coming on. 52 min Schick sets back for Sojka, who swings over a delectable cross, Hlozek waiting in the middle but, facing how own net, Mokoena stretches, hooking away. That’s a brilliant interception.

51 min “Get on the Sandwich Spread, Dan,” advises Simon McMahon, “the tangy, crunchy spread of champions. With sourdough toast. ” For the uninitiated, imagine filling a vat of mayo with the contents of an industrial hoover bag.

49 min Mokoena finds the space, sliding a gorgeous pass between wing-back and outside centre-back for Mudau, whose cross is blocked at source; the resultant corner comes to nothing. 48 min The corner picks out Schick and this should be 2-0 … but he plops a tame header into Williams’ arms. he may live to regret that.

47 min Again, Czechia start a half well, a ball fown the line flicked at by Schick, who misses his connection, but it distracts the defender and allows Sadilek away down the left. He squares into the box and Darida is there … but his first touch is miserable, what a waste. Then, when the ball is half-cleared, Cerv leathers form distance, forcing Williams to turn over the top.

46 min We go again, SA sending on Mofokeng for Adams. ” wonders Wilson Beuys. )’ As for the first thing to spread across a slice of hot toast, the bizarrely named ‘salade piemontaise’ is the thing; available from any supermarket.

A delightfully industrial mix of the aforementioned sauce (passing itself off as mayonnaise), with cubed potatoes, occasional tomatoes, invitational boiled ham and chopped hard-boiled eggs. On hot toast with salted butter and a breakfast coffee... ” Anyone seen enough of Victor Muñoz to have an opinion?

From what I’ve read, he sounds very Iraola-y – though one of my fears when managers take a step up is that the level of player they need to to love is different, but they don’t always realise. See Moyes, D. My favourite South African tunes for your delectation: Another execrable start from SA allowed Czechia, who began like they meant it, to forge in front.

But it’s more even since, and the second half should be decent, as desperation sets in. 45+4 min Again, SA move it nicely through midfield, Modiba crossing from the left and Kovar launching to claim. But he spills it, so Maseko looks to sivel and shoot … but Krejci blocks well.

45+2 min “Salad cream’s closest analogue in the USA is Miracle Whip,” advises my colleague Beau Dure. “Because, to borrow a line from the comedian Demetri Martin, we like to be incredulous. )” That we have in England.

In the UK, we’re inquisitive, hence the band Therapy? 45 min SA are progressing through midfield quite nicely, Modiba into Adams who lays back for Mokoena … whose shot is better than his first, in the way a heel to the solar plexus is better than a forehead on the bridge of the nose. It flies way over the bar, and we’ll have four additional minutes.

43 min “Have to say that SA are getting Foucault from this match if they carry on trapping the ball further than I can kick it,” returns Dean Moull. Yup, they’re Heideggering their own grave. 42 min …and smashes it over wall and bar as if dared so to do by a mate.

In the stands, Mikael Silvestere, a man not exactly renowned for his dead-ball prowess, is unimpressed. 40 min Schick lays back to Cerv, who rides a foul then, when the ball comes back Schick, Mbatha nobbles him and is booked. Free-kick SA, 30 yards out, pretty central.

Hlozek fancies it… 39 min SA are finding joy when moving through midfield, and Mudau is offering an outlet down the right. The problem is the lack of quality at crucial moments. 37 min Mokoena moves through midfield and finds Appollis, who spreads for Mudau … whose first touch is as deliocate, to borrow Nancy Banks-Smith’s delightful phrase describing Jocky Wilson’s darts throw, as a half-brick through a windae.

So Kovar coming out to smother at cost of a corner … which comes to nowt. ” I’m hoping they have Fabian Barthez in the studio. 34 min Goodness me, Mokoena is so late on Coufal he’s almost posthumous; he’s booked and misses the next game.

Maybe it’s the name, becauase Aaron of Blackburn Rovers fame wasn’t behind the door either. ” Oh, I somehow missed that – whereas I never missed Camberwick Green. 31 min This maturing into a football match.

SA still lack quality, but there’s some conviction about them now. 29 min “In your rehabilitation program,” returns Charles Antaki, “I hope you’ve got some space for tahini? A dollop of the good stuff, a press of one or two garlic cloves, a hefty squeeze of lemon, pinch of salt, drop of the extra-virgin, dilute carefully with water as required.

Sprinkle of paprika on top for presentation purposes. ” In terms of olive oil, allow me to recommend Rincon de la Subbetica; I’m afraid I don’t like salads. These days, though, my condiment of choice is fresh shito.

27 min We’re away again, SA right back on to the attack and Appollis punching a good straight pass into Rayners, on the edge. But when he spins and squares, Mbatha can’t collect, so the move breaks down. 24 min “What is salad cream?

Signed, America,” emails Charles Pearson. Something on to which it’d be difficult to melt cheese, so I can understand why it’s unfamiliar Stateside. 23 min Time for a Bovril break, the crowd booing righteously.

Good, the more Fifa hear of that the better, except the relevant suits are probably watching the ads. 22 min It’s just occurred to me that, excited to even consider salad cream, I neglected to wish Bob’s wife better, so let’s do that now. Meantime, SA continue probing, Kovar thrashing forward to no one when their latest attack founders.

20 min I’m not sure if Czechia planned to sit back if they scored, if they’re doing it feart to lose what they have, or if SA are pushing them back; my sense is the second, with a bit of the third. But they looked much better when pushing the pace. 18 min Not that long ago, Anya Hindmarch sold salad cream ice cream.

It wasn’t that good. ” intones a disappointed Charles Antaki. “Please tell us you were teasing.

If not, then well done for giving it up - the prodigal son and all that - but what were you thinking? ” I like excessive tastes – sour, spicy, tangy – and salad cream is the latter. If I’m picking one condiment to slap on a slice of toast, that’s my one.

15 min SA enjoy possession, which makes them more cultured than me – I couldn’t get on with S Byatt’s prose, at all – and move the ball right, Modiba into Adams, who spreads to Mudau. And the cross is a goodun, Rayners charging towards it and leaping, but able only to shin wide. 13 min The corner is poor and when the ball comes to Modiba, 1,623 yards out, he takes aim, and fires somewhere towards Maine.

12 min SA have realised there’s a game on, and that they’re in it. They get the ball wide down the right, Maseko moving it infield to Appollis, who shoots from 25, there’s a deflection … and the net ripples. But because the effort brushed the side and roof, not because it’s in.

11 min “An unhealthy diet of football,” reckons Bob O’Hara. ” Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I love mustard and ketchup, all the more so since I quit salad cream.

9 min My screen crashes, but Czechia have started well – they’re passing and moving really nicely, and now SA have a bit of the ball their defensive shape blankets the attack in no time. 7 min That was a really lovely goal, but SA only had one man back; once again, I’m not at all sure what they’re trying to accomplish. That was coming because, once again, SA have started like they’d rather be home.

Coufal takes a throw quickly, hurling low and towards the by-line for Hlozek, who sweeps back to the edge. Mudau might do better to cut it out, but the touch from Sojka, who might shoot, but instead slips a dainty pass around the defender, allowing Sadilek to power a dink over Williams’ dive. 5 min Williams comes for the corner, doesn’t get to the ball, and when the ball falls to Sadilek on the edge, he’s relieved the shot is off target.

5 min Sadilek swings over to Coufal, pulling out of the box on the far side, and his volley back in is knocked behind for a corner. 3 min Czechia, though, have started fairly well, quickly winning a corner … which comes to nothing. But they build again, Darida showing nice feet to invite the challenge and win the free-kick, 30 yards out, left of centre.

1 min Immediately, Cerv spreads wide, then Sojka spoons over a cross … and when no defender cuts it out, suddenly Schick has a free header at the back post! But it’s as though he can’t believe it’s happening, or even allowed for him to be so alone, so he nods a tame effort that’s barely an effort at all, into the ground, and Williams saves. That was a great chance, it fell to who Czechia would’ve wanted it to … and nothing.

1 min Hold tight Tori Penso, only the second woman to ref a men’s World Cup match; she gets us going. “Czechia v South Africa, could be a dogs breakfast,” enthuses Mary Waltz. “But if one of these wins today they have a chance at the knockout round.

Some complain about the expanded roster but in the old set up I would probably skip this fixture. ” It’s hard to grouse about the expanded field because it gives us the teams riding the phattest buzz to be involved, which can deliver amazing moments and matches. And ultimately, many of us are hopeless football addicts, delighted to guzzle our fix wherever we find it, meaning more is more.

I wonder how Sphephelo Sithole is getting on – he had the mare of mares last time out, culpable in Mexico’s first goal before getting sent off. I hope he’s managed to assimilate it into his being and move on. Anthem time… The Atlanta roof is closed and the aircon on.

Maybe they’ll hydrate with Bovril. Ah, our teams are tunnelled … and here they come! I’m a little surprised Czechia have left out Soucek, whose set-piece presence has always been a big part of their attacking threat.

Hlozek, who’s come in, is also a big lad, but its not just about height but attacking the ball and anticipating where it might drop – at which Soucek is a master. On BBC, Benni McCarthy was just saying that in SA, people were mainly disappointed by the negativity. And he’s not wrong – I’m sure this wasn’t the plan, and can understand that an opening match, against the host, in the Azteca, is a daunting proposition, but it looked like they turned up hoping not to get splattered, rather than believing they’d win.

How good was this? It’s so great to get that kind of insight and honesty – then know it’s been effectively communicated because the response was so intense. My best guess is England’s defence costs them eventually – and much as I think Thomas Tuchel is excellent, the back four he picked isn’t, for mine, the best one he could’ve picked – but in midfield, they can compete with anyone, and their attacking options are also up with everyone bar France’s.

Where is the game? Czechia will, I think, look to dominate midfield, looking to get the ball forward quickly then hit Hlozek and Schick with crosses or ball to feet for an up, back and through, one of them holding the ball before laying it off for it to go forward again. South Africa, meanwhile, will look for quick counters, especially in behind the wingers and down the outside of the outside centre backs, with Adams and Mokoena making third-man runs beyonds Rayners and into the box.

Email! “This is a bittersweet game for me,” confesses John Brennan. “When the draw was made in December, this was the most likely game that I could get to see Ireland play.

I probably couldn’t have pulled off going to Mexico but getting from NY to Atlanta would have been reasonable. The stadium would have been packed with Irish fans between Irish living here on the East Coast and people travelling. Just thinking about it makes me wistful.

What if Ryan Manning didn’t give away that stupid penalty, what if Parrott had scored that chance in the second half, what if Sammy Smzodics hadn’t been taken out of it and had been able to take a penalty instead of Alan Browne. And yeah if all those things had happened and Ireland beat Czechia, it would probably be Denmark playing today. ” I feel you – but the buzz of those Parrott goals to get to there will never leave you.

Who wants a bit of Mike Costello? Do I hear a hells to the yeah?! South Africa, meanwhile, are without Sithole and Zwane, sent off against Mexico; left our are Sibisi and Foster, with Mbatha, Maseko and Rayners coming in.

They move from the 5-3-2 which put them under pressure last week to a far more natural 4-3-3. A strange change from Czechia, who add Holes to their defence – he replaces Chaloupek – while Soucek, Zeleny, Provod and Sulc also drop out. Others to come in are Sadilek, Darida, Cerv and Hlozsek; Miroslav Koubek must’ve seriously disliked what he saw.

I also think there’ll be a formation change from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2. Before we look at those teams, also going on: Czechia (3-5-2): Kovar; Hranac, Holes, Krejci; Coufal, Sadilek, Darida, Cerv, Sojka; Hlozek, Schick. Subs: Chaloupek, Chory, Chytil, Doudera, Hornicek, Kuchta, Provod, Sochurek, Soucek, Stanek, Visinksy, Zeleny, Zima, Sulc.

South Africa (4-3-3): Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokzai, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha, Adams; Maseko, Rayners, Appollis. Subs: Chaine, Cross, Foster, Goss, Kabini, Makgopa, Makhanya, Mataludi, Mofokeng, Moremi, Ndamane, Sebelebele, Sibisi. Referee: Tori Penso (USA) Mike Costello, the legendary boxing commentator, tells a story of when he was fresh in the game, an old pro heard him getting dead excited calling a fight that wasn’t Hagler-Hearns, so issued some advice: always leave yourself somewhere to go.

For those of us involved in a similar kind of thing, this is an important lesson, but one easier grasped than lived – especially during the World Cup and even more so during this World Cup. How not to unload the suitcase – and why not unload the suitcase – when Curaçao equalise against Germany, Cape Verde force a draw with Spain and DRC equalise against then draw with Portugal? For them – and so for us, sport being the experience of living your life through others – this is their Hagler-Hearns, so it makes more sense to trust you’ll find somewhere to go than not turn up somewhere you desperately need to be.

Which is to say we’ve enjoyed a sensational first week and round of football – but Czechia and South Africa have not, enduing the respective agonies of a soul-crushing late winner conceded and a total no-show dropped. But the structure of the competition is in their favour, a defeat today terminal for neither – though with final-round matches against Mexico and South Korea upcoming, a win feels essential for both.