00:00We now go with our special segment on the occasion of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
00:05Beyond the game, the ball stays pure.
00:07Go ahead Luis, it's a pleasure to share this up with you.
00:10Hi Lorena, hi to our audience.
00:12South Africa managed to rescue a point in the last minutes of the game against the Czech Republic.
00:18That they were losing 1-0, but in the last minutes due to a penalty,
00:22they were able to secure one point in the qualification.
00:24We'll have more after the break.
00:48Welcome to Beyond the Game, the ball stays pure.
00:50The Czech Republic were the ninth victory laid on as South Africa battled back to earn a 1-1 draw
00:57in the Group A clash.
00:58The Czechs made the perfect start, taking the lead after just six minutes through Michel Sadelec,
01:04who capped off an early spell of pressure with a composed finish.
01:08South Africa gradually took control of the match, dominating possession with 61% of the ball
01:13and pushing the Czech defense deeper and deeper.
01:15Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 83rd minute,
01:19when Tebojo Mokawena converted from the penalty spot to level the score.
01:24Both sides pressed for a winner in the closing stages,
01:27with South Africa having good chances in stoppage time, but without luck.
01:50South Africa and the Czech Republic will need a win in the last round to keep their hopes of going
01:55through to the next stage.
01:56The stage is set, however, for the Mexico-South Korea match later in the night,
02:01which will likely define the top spot of the group.
02:11And precisely on this match, Mexico and South Korea, and many other topics of interest surrounding the World Cup,
02:16let's go live to Mexico City with our colleague Carlos Montero.
02:20Welcome, Carlos, once more to Beyond the Game.
02:23Hi, Luis. Thank you very much.
02:25I was surprised.
02:26I was watching the first game.
02:27You mentioned Czech Republic and South Africa.
02:31For the first time, Torrey Penso, he's a very famous in the USA.
02:36Referee was the main referee in that game.
02:39The side referees, there were also two women.
02:42Three women were refereeing that game.
02:45But yes, of course, here in Mexico, we are in front of the Aztec Stadium.
02:49Today, Mexico is playing the second match for them of this World Cup.
02:54They are not playing here.
02:55They are going to Guadalajara.
02:57People in Guadalajara are really exciting because it's the first time that the World Cup game is going to be
03:02playing Guadalajara.
03:03But here in Mexico, there are a lot of people from very early in the morning going to the Fan
03:10Fest where they are going to watch this game.
03:12They expect to have a good performance from the team.
03:18If you remember, you were mentioning that two, they won the first match.
03:22But today, again, South Korea is going to be much tougher.
03:25The two of them have three points.
03:27The one who wins is going to be the leader of that group.
03:31I remind you, there are 48 teams playing in this World Cup.
03:36The first two, they go to the second round, and the best third, eighth, go to the second round.
03:45So even that, South Africa and Czech Republic has one point.
03:51They still haven't a chance to be amongst the best eight.
03:55Here in Mexico City, last night was a big party.
04:01Colombian everywhere, Colombian everywhere celebrating because here was the last match of yesterday.
04:07Colombia did a great performance with the trainer, Néstor Lorenzo.
04:13Colombia said, finally, our team is doing great.
04:16That's what we want to see.
04:19And it's fantastic for them because you remember Portugal surprised us when they tie their match.
04:27So at now, Colombia is top of their group, and they have a big chance to go to the next
04:33ground.
04:34I want to show you how exciting were some of those Colombian fans after that match.
04:40Let's listen to some of them.
04:45Well, I think we're all very excited, and we've been preparing for days.
04:50We'll see them soon, but I forgot my jersey and all my other gear.
04:55But we're really happy, very excited to be able to experience this.
05:09Yes, I truly believe it's an honor to be a host country.
05:13I think it's something we have to remember forever, something for our children and future generations.
05:18It's also a joy to have the players here and recognize their effort, everything they're giving,
05:23and send them good vibes for what's to come, because it's going to be a great match.
05:28So please, don't let us down, guys.
05:30We're here supporting you.
05:40Well, now, as they say, the dream will never die.
05:44We're definitely aware that there are no weak opponents anymore.
05:48Many countries are showing in this World Cup that there's enough talent for everyone.
05:53And as they say, why not us?
05:56Everyone, even the countries that seem weak, are no longer so.
06:00So yes, anything can happen, and we have to acknowledge the team's weaknesses, but we
06:05have a very good squad.
06:12Of course, you were listening to the Mexican fans, the Colombian fans, they were also as
06:36exciting as the Mexican, because their team won, and they are first in their group.
06:41But let's talk about something not serious, something very serious, I mean, because today,
06:45a lot of rumors were here in Mexico, all over, the people who are covering the World Cup,
06:51it's about the health of Leo Messi's father.
06:54You remember Leo Messi, after the game against Argelia, Leo Messi said that he was really sad
07:02but after scoring the first goal, almost crying because of San Finestra football, and we find
07:11out that his father was not doing well, so there were crazy rumors about the health of his
07:18father and the family.
07:20Messi published a statement regarding the health of Jorge, Leo's father, Leo's manager has been
07:26with him since he started to play Leo.
07:29Let me read you the statement, more or less, the Messi family informs that Jorge is experiencing
07:36a health issue, he's currently under medical supervision, recovering, and progressing favorably.
07:44He's doing much better within his current condition.
07:48The family confirmed before expressing this place.
07:52They were really upset with the media, what they were saying, it was a TV station in Argentina
07:58who confirmed the words about Jorge.
08:00The family was very upset, they said, please be careful, Jorge is not playing this World
08:05Cup, Jorge is not the main character of this World Cup, leave us in peace.
08:11We want our privacy.
08:12They have rights and we wish Jorge Messi the best in his recovery that based on that statement,
08:20he's in a bad condition, health condition, but he's doing much, much better.
08:25Luis, that's all for right now.
08:27I'm going back with you to the studios.
08:30Thank you, Carlos.
08:30And of course, we wish a speedy recovery for the father of Lionel Messi as he's facing these
08:35hardships in terms of his health condition.
08:38But very quickly, Carlos, before we go, who is your favorite for last night's game?
08:42For, I mean, for the game later tonight between Mexico and South Korea.
08:49It's going to be a tough one.
08:50They are two very strong teams.
08:53I mean, I'm in Mexico and I don't want to get upset with the Mexican fans.
08:58There are a lot of here, but I think South Korea is going to win 2-1.
09:04They have a stronger team.
09:07Mexico lost one of his main defenders and South Korea is going to take advantage.
09:13I'm sorry, I have Mexican friends, but I think it's going to be, I don't know if I'm upset
09:18because the two of them are strong, but I would go 2-1 South Korea.
09:22What about you, Luis?
09:23I'm also with you.
09:25I believe that South Korea is the team that is going to be in the top spot of this group.
09:28Well, thank you, Carlos, very much for your inputs and information here in Beyond the Game.
09:36Well, this is the latest information we were saying with Carlos coming from Mexico City.
09:40All eyes are on this match between Mexico and South Korea later tonight at 9 p.m. Caracas time.
09:49Well, like this, we have come to the end of this part of the segment of the Beyond the Game.
09:54The ball is pure.
09:54With all these details, we go back to you, Lorena.
09:58Thank you so much, Lizzie, for keeping us all posted on the context of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
10:04And like this, we have come to the end of this news brief.
10:07Remember, you can find this and many other stories on our website at TeleStudyEnglish.net.
10:12And join us on social media.
10:13We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram and TikTok.
10:16For TeleStudyEnglish, I am Lorena Fong.
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