Mexico Reaches World Cup Knockout Stage With 1-0 Win Over South Korea
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 19
Mexico Reaches World Cup Knockout Stage With 1-0 Win Over South Korea
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 19
Summary
Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Gi-hyuk and spilled the ball, giving Mexico a 1-0 win in Guadalajara.
Six points from two Group A matches made Mexico the first team to clinch a knockout berth, a sharp turnaround after its 2022 group-stage exit.
Raúl Rangel preserved the lead in the 87th minute with back-to-back saves on Cho Gue-sung and Yang Hyun-jun as South Korea pushed for an equalizer.
Group A remains open behind Mexico: South Korea has three points, while the Czech Republic and South Africa have one each after their 1-1 draw.
The result also extended Mexico's strong home start at the expanded 48-team World Cup, with 45,522 fans filling Estadio Akron for the venue's first national-team match.