Mexico has become the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a narrow 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara. The crucial goal came early in the second half when a mix-up between South Korea’s goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu and defender Lee Ki-hyuk allowed Mexican midfielder Luis Romo to capitalize, scoring the only goal of the match.
Throughout the game, Mexico maintained control but found it challenging to break through a well-organized South Korean defense. Despite their dominance, clear scoring opportunities were scarce. However, the team’s resilience paid off, and they managed to keep their lead intact. Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel played a pivotal role in securing the victory, showcasing his skills with two remarkable saves late in the match. He first denied a header from Cho Gue-sung and swiftly reacted to block Yang Hyun-jun’s subsequent attempt.
This win places Mexico at the top of their group, with two victories from two matches, confirming their spot in the Round of 32. Head coach Javier Aguirre expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, highlighting their composure and tactical discipline as indicators of their growing maturity. Despite a lack of attacking flair, Aguirre praised the squad’s ability to navigate the game effectively.
On the other hand, South Korea remains in the hunt for a place in the knockout stage, needing a positive outcome in their final group match against South Africa to advance. The defeat underscored their difficulties in converting opportunities in the attacking third, setting the stage for a critical showdown in their last group-stage match.