Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo celebrates after the Fifa World Cup 2026 Group A match towards South Korea, on the Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico, June 18, 2026. — Reuters
GUADALAJARA: Co-hosts Mexico grew to become the primary staff to succeed in the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.
Luis Romo’s aim simply after half-time put Mexico via as Group A winners with a match to go, following a goalkeeping clanger.
In distinction, Mexico stopper Raul Rangel made an excellent double save within the dying minutes to protect their lead.
Ending high retains Mexico at residence within the final 32 with a recreation towards a third-placed staff in Mexico Metropolis.
South Korea are second on three factors, with the Czech Republic and South Africa additionally nonetheless alive on one.
Each groups went into the conflict in entrance of a passionate residence crowd figuring out that victory would assure progress in double-quick time.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made three modifications from the facet that beat South Africa 2-0 every week in the past to open the event.
His counterpart Hong Myung-bo made only one alteration, largely retaining religion with the staff that fought again to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.
South Korea skipper Son Heung-min had the primary sniff at aim after quarter-hour, looping the ball over Rangel just for Edson Alvarez to forestall it entering into with a bicycle kick on the road.
Los Angeles FC attacker Son was belatedly flagged for offside though replays instructed it was a detailed name.
Julian Quinones, who scored the opening aim of the event, then pressured South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu into a very good save from a header, elevating the decibels.
The remainder of an uneventful half belonged to South Korea as they stroked the ball round at will, with out ever creating a transparent probability, however they did reach silencing the house help.
Jeers rang out at half-time from the Mexico followers.
The hosts began the second interval with way more intent, and 5 minutes in they went forward when the goalkeeper Kim got here for a excessive ball and clattered into his personal participant, spilling it straight to Romo.
He simply wanted to poke the ball first time into an unguarded web, triggering pandemonium.
Hong surprisingly hauled off the veteran talisman Son earlier than the hour and threw on Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However the Koreans had been largely toothless going ahead till the ultimate jiffy, when Guadalajara native Rangel got here to Mexico’s rescue.
They are going to face the Czech Republic of their dead-rubber last group recreation whereas South Korea play South Africa.
South Africa and the Czechs drew 1-1 earlier within the day.
