Mexico edge South Korea 1–0 to become first team into World Cup last 32
The Mt Kenya Times 
By Norman Mwale
“It was a game to forget, but the result is one to remember” – Javier Aguirre
Mexico booked their place in the World Cup last 32 with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over South Korea at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara on Thursday night, becoming the first nation to secure knockout progression at the 2026 tournament. The result lifts Javier Aguirre’s side to six points atop Group A with a match to spare and guarantees their round of 32 tie will be played in Mexico City.
The match was a tense, tactical affair that produced few chances until five minutes into the second half. The breakthrough arrived in the 50th minute when Luis Romo pounced on a costly error from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. After Raul Jiménez’s header was blocked into the air, Kim collided with teammate Lee Gi-hyuk while attempting to collect the cross and spilled the ball straight into Romo’s path. The Chivas midfielder made no mistake, volleying into an unguarded net to send the home crowd into delirium.
South Korea pushed for an equaliser late on and came within inches in the 87th minute. Cho Gue-sung’s header was brilliantly saved by Raul Rangel, and when the rebound fell to Yang Hyun-jun, Rangel somehow scrambled to his feet and clawed the ball away with his fingertips to complete a stunning double save that preserved Mexico’s clean sheet. The save drew chants of “Tala! Tala!” from the Estadio Akron crowd.
“It was a very close game; we didn’t give up a single centimetre and fought for every ball as if it were our last,” Aguirre said afterwards. “It was a game where whoever made a mistake would lose, and it was them. It was a game to forget, but the result is one to remember”.
Romo, making his World Cup debut at 31, described the goal as the biggest moment of his career. “To score on your debut, at home, and send Mexico through — it is indescribable,” he said. “We knew South Korea would be disciplined, so we had to be patient. One moment decided it.”
Captain Edson Álvarez, deployed in central defence in place of suspended César Montes, praised the squad’s resilience. “The first half was difficult, the crowd were frustrated, but we stayed together,” he said. “Raúl’s save was as important as Luis’s goal. That is how you win at World Cups.”
For South Korea, the defeat leaves them on three points with work to do in their final group match. Manager Hong Myung-bo accepted the decisive moment went against his side. “We defended well for long periods, but one mistake at this level is punished,” he said. “Kim is a top goalkeeper and he will recover. We still believe we can qualify.”
Son Heung-min was gracious in defeat. “Mexico were clinical when it mattered,” he said. “We created half-chances but not clear ones. Football is cruel like that. Now we must be better in both boxes against South Africa.”
The victory makes Mexico the first team to reach the knockout phase and secures them top spot in Group A. With home advantage locked in for the last 32, El Tri can now focus on finishing the group stage strongly. For a nation that expects progression, Thursday night brought relief and renewed belief that composure, discipline and home support can still carry them deep into the tournament.
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