GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Mexico capitalized on a costly defensive mistake by South Korea on Thursday, securing a 1-0 victory and becoming the first team to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
The result is a significant step forward for a Mexican side that was eliminated in the group stage in 2022. Playing at home, Mexico has now opened the tournament with two wins in front of energetic, celebratory crowds.
Luis Romo scored the game’s only goal in the 50th minute after a mix-up in South Korea’s defense. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Gi-hyuk and spilled the ball in the penalty area, allowing Romo to collect it and finish into an empty net.
South Korea came close to leveling late in the match. In the 87th minute, Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel made a point-blank save on a header from Cho Gue-sung, then followed it with an even more impressive stop on the rebound, stretching out his right arm to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Mexico now sits on six points from two Group A matches. South Korea remains on three points, while the Czech Republic and South Africa have one point each after their 1-1 draw earlier Thursday in Atlanta.
The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout rounds, along with the eight best third-place finishers. This year’s tournament is the first World Cup to feature a round of 32 following the expansion of the field to 48 teams.
