Korea and Mexico both on 3 points: Group A's top spot is decided this morning in Guadalajara

The overnight draw that opened Group A

The earliest goal of the tournament came in Atlanta. Michal Sadilek put Czechia ahead in the sixth minute. But South Africa hit back seven minutes from time, Teboho Mokoena converting a penalty after Šulc handled in the box, for a 1-1 draw and their first point. Czechia, the better side on chances, were left frustrated. For South Africa this was more than a single point: their opener against Mexico was a chaotic, three-red-card affair in which they finished with nine men and lost 2-0. This draw is the first step back.

The table now

After the opening round, host Mexico and South Korea both sat on three points. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the tournament's opening match, Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scoring. South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1. The overnight draw lifts Czechia and South Africa to one point each. Mexico 3, Korea 3, Czechia 1, South Africa 1, with Mexico ahead on goal difference.

Why this morning matters for Japan's readers

At 10:00 JST, Mexico and South Korea meet in Guadalajara. The winner all but books a knockout place and takes top spot. For Japanese readers, Korea is the other Asian side that won its opener: against Czechia, Hwang In-beom equalized after Ladislav Krejci had headed the Czechs in front, and Hwang also set up Oh Hyeon-gyu's 80th-minute winner. Son Heung-min missed his chances but Korea still came from behind. The question is Son's finishing: against a Mexico backed by a roaring home crowd, Korea can ill afford their captain to stay quiet. Mexico carry their own worry, having lost defender César Montes to a red card in the opener.

Czechia and South Africa's final round

For the two teams level on a point, the last group game is effectively decisive. Czechia have led in both matches and won neither, outplaying opponents without the points to show for it. South Africa, recovering from an opener played with nine men, are looking to climb back. The overnight Czechia–South Africa match also made history: a trio led by referee Tori Penso became only the second all-female crew to officiate a men's World Cup fixture.

The math

Under the 48-team format, the top two in each group advance, plus the eight best third-placed teams. So this is not win-or-go-home. But topping the group all but secures a place and improves the knockout draw. A draw keeps Czechia and South Africa, level on one point, alive into the final round. Both sides have had the same three days' rest since their openers. Group A's order shifts sharply in a single morning.