World Cup Advancement
Mexico Becomes First Team to Reach World Cup Knockout Stage, Beats South Korea 1-0
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Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 18, defeating South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara. The only goal came in the 50th minute, when South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with his own defender Lee Gi-hyuk and dropped the ball, allowing Luis Romo to score AP.
The result gives Mexico 6 points from two games in Group A, a mathematically insurmountable lead confirmed when Czechia and South Africa drew 1-1 shortly after Washington Post. It is Mexico's first time winning their opening two group matches since 2018 — and a major redemption after crashing out in the 2022 group stage.
A Goalkeeper Collision Decides the Match
The game was tight and largely uneventful until the 50th minute. Kim Seung-gyu came out to collect a cross but slammed into his own defender Lee Gi-hyuk. The ball fell loose inside the area, and Luis Romo slotted it in. South Korea's coach Hong Myung-bo called it an "absurd defensive error" after the game STARNEWS.
It was a cruel moment for Kim Seung-gyu. The 35-year-old veteran had spoken publicly just days before about missing the birth of his daughter to attend what he described as his final World Cup The Guardian. Despite the blunder, South Korea actually created better chances overall, finishing with an Expected Goals figure of 0.69 compared to Mexico's 0.48 The Athletic.
Mexico's Defense Holds Under Late South Korean Pressure
South Korea pushed hard for an equalizer. In the 16th minute, an Edson Alvarez goal-line clearance denied Son Heung-min a certain goal The Guardian. Then, with three minutes left, goalkeeper Raul Rangel made a stunning double save — first stopping a Cho Gue-sung header, then blocking a follow-up shot from Yang Hyun-jun FotMob.
Coach Javier Aguirre, known as "El Vasco," was blunt about his team's performance after their opener. "I can no longer allow a player to be unable to make a three- or four-meter pass," he said Reuters. The win came with 52% possession, in front of a sold-out crowd of around 48,000 at Estadio Guadalajara.
Off-Pitch Drama Surrounded the South Korea Camp
South Korea arrived at the match already dealing with distractions. On June 16, domestic media personnel were caught on a leaked recording mocking captain Son Heung-min's military service. The players responded by boycotting the South Korean press The Straits Times. Son was then quietly substituted off in the 56th minute after a quiet performance.
A day later, a drone was spotted hovering over South Korea's closed training session in Zapopan. Mexican military forces jammed its signal and brought it down. Two operators fled the scene The Korea Times. Coach Hong called the timing "unfortunate" as his staff was mid-way through tactical preparations for the Mexico match.
Mexico Eyes Azteca Run; South Korea Must Beat South Africa
Mexico will play their Round of 32 match on June 30 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, likely facing a third-place team from Group C or D Flashscore. Celebrations erupted across Guadalajara and Mexico City on Thursday, with local hotels and venues reporting a surge in bookings for the knockout rounds.
South Korea, sitting in second place with 3 points, cannot afford a slip-up. They face South Africa in Monterrey on Wednesday. A loss could drop them to third or worse, depending on results elsewhere Washington Post. Czechia and South Africa each have 1 point and remain very much alive in Group A.
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