Luis Romo’s goal in the 50th minute propelled Mexico into the last 32, where they will also play at home.
Published June 19, 2026
Mexico, co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, became the first team to reach the knockout stages on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over South Korea at the frenetic Guadalajara Stadium.
Luis Romo’s goal just after halftime saw Mexico emerge as Group A winners with a game in hand after a goalkeeper riot.
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Meanwhile, Mexican stopper Raul Rangel made a superb double save in the closing stages to maintain the lead.
Mexico finished in first place and played at home in Mexico City against the third place team to advance to the last 32. South Korea is in second place with three points, while the Czech Republic and South Africa are also still alive with one point.
“It was a very close game. We didn’t give up an inch and fought every ball as if it were our last,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre told Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca.
“It was a game where you lost if you made a mistake, and it was them… It was a game to forget, but the result was memorable.
“I will see how the last match unfolds and wait for my opponent (in the round of 32). I will go home satisfied, because I am not leaving my homeland, my beloved Mexico,” he added.
Mexico and South Korea went toe-to-toe in front of an enthusiastic Mexican crowd, knowing that a victory would guarantee them a double-time advance.
Aguirre made three changes to the team that opened the season with a 2-0 win over South Africa a week ago.
His counterpart, Hong Myung-bo, made just one change and largely kept the team’s faith intact as they fought back and beat the Czech Republic 2-1.
Fifteen minutes later, Korean captain Son Heung-min took the lead in goal, looping the ball over Rangel, but Edson Alvarez blocked the shot with a bicycle kick on the line.
Los Angeles FC attacker Son was belatedly flagged for offside, but replays suggested it was a close call.
Julian Quinones, who scored the first goal of the tournament, then raised the decibel by forcing a good save from Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-kyu’s header.
For the rest of the uneventful first half, South Korea took control, moving the ball at will, and although they did not create any clear-cut chances, they succeeded in silencing the home fans.
At halftime, Mexican fans jeered.
The hosts started the second period more aggressively and took the lead in the fifth minute. Goalkeeper Kim came in for a high ball, hit a player in his own half, and the ball spilled directly onto Romo.
Romo simply drove the ball first into an unguarded net and wreaked havoc.
Hong surprisingly tore off the veteran talisman Song before time and threw it at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan.
But the Koreans had little chance until the final minutes, when Guadalajara native Rangel came to Mexico’s rescue.
Mexico will play the Czech Republic in the final group match of the dead rubber, while South Korea will face South Africa. South Africa and the Czech Republic drew 1-1 earlier in the day.
