Nigeria, June 25 -- South Africa edged South Korea 1-0 in a fiercely contested encounter, while Mexico produced a clinical display to thrash Czechia 3-0 and finish as group leaders.

The South Africans delivered a disciplined performance to claim all three points and seal qualification to the knockout stage.

After a tense first half that ended without a goal, South Africa returned from the break with renewed purpose and greater attacking urgency.

Their persistence paid off in the 63rd minute when Thapelo Maseko capitalised on a defensive error to fire home the decisive goal after South Korea failed to clear the danger.

South Korea responded by introducing more attacking options in a desperate bid to rescue the match, but South Africa'...