Khaberni - Mexico secured its spot as the first qualifier to the round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted together with the United States and Canada, after its 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday in the second round of Group 1.
Luis Romo's goal at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara in the 50th minute was enough for Mexico to ensure qualification and lead the group after raising their points to six, three points ahead of South Korea and five ahead of Czechia and South Africa, who drew 1-1.
Coach Javier Aguirre's team reached the second round after failing to do so in the previous tournament, and they seek to advance further as they did in 1986 and 1970 when they reached the quarterfinals.
South Korea entered the match aiming to redeem themselves against Mexico, who had defeated them in their previous two final encounters (3-1 in 1998 and 2-1 in 2018), and against an opponent who had won all their five matches against Asian teams in the World Cup.
In the first half hour, the players exchanged some unfruitful attacks and there was only one shot on goal from the hosts.
However, the situation changed in the second half, when the Mexican team started to attack, and with help from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu who made a mistake together with defender Kim Min-jae and let the ball slip from his hands, Romo managed to score the lead goal, receiving the gift and putting it into the net (50).
Seven minutes later, coach Hong Myung-bo shockingly substituted team star and captain Son Heung-min (57), after having taken him out in the 69th minute against Czechia.
Seung-gyu prevented striker Raul Jimenez from adding a second by blocking his close-range shot from a narrow angle (75).
Son's substitute, Oh Hyun-gyu, missed a great opportunity in front of the net to equalize when he arrived late to a cross from the other substitute, Yang Hyun-jun (78).
Three minutes before the end of regular time, Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rangel made a spectacular double save against a header and shot by substitute Cho Gue-sung in front of the goal line (87).
Defender Lee Han-beom nearly made it happen with a header from the first corner of the match, but it went past the left post (90+2), then Gue-sung tried again with another header, which was cleared by defender Johan Vasquez (90+4).
A late awakening caused South Korea its first loss in North America and the 22nd in its history of World Cup participations out of 40 matches.
