Mexico secures historic spot as initial squad to advance to 2026 World Cup elimination round

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Co-hosts Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.

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After a dreary first period, Luis Romo’s goal just after half-time, thanks to a goalkeeping error, put Mexico through as Group A winners with a match to go.

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Mexico stopper Raul Rangel made a superb double save in the dying minutes to preserve their lead.

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Finishing top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico City.

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“It’s really difficult to deal with the emotions,” coach Javier Aguirre said of the challenges going into the game.

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He reserved special praise for Rangel and the supporters in Guadalajara.

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“His save was just amazing,” said Aguirre.

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“It was quite a tactical match, and hard to digest for the fans, but they were outstanding.

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“I would just like to say thank you to them, they’ve been fantastic ever since we got here.

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“Mexico jerseys were everywhere, everywhere you turned it was green shirts.”

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South Korea are second on three points, with the Czech Republic and South Africa also still alive on one.

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Hong Myung-bo’s side face South Africa next and are still in a good position to advance.

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Tale of two goalkeepers

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Aguirre made three changes from the side that beat South Africa 2-0 a week ago to open the tournament.

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Hong made just one alteration for South Korea, largely keeping faith with the team that fought back to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.

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Skipper Son Heung-min had the first sniff at goal after 15 minutes, looping the ball over Rangel only for Edson Alvarez to prevent it going in with a bicycle kick on the line.

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Los Angeles FC attacker Son was belatedly flagged for offside although replays suggested it was a close call.

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Julian Quinones, who scored the opening goal of the tournament, then forced South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu into a good save from a header, raising the decibels.

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The rest of an uneventful half belonged to South Korea as they stroked the ball around at will, without ever creating a clear chance, but they did succeed in silencing the home support.

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Jeers rang out at half-time from the Mexico fans.

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The hosts started the second period with far more intent, and five minutes in they went ahead when the goalkeeper Kim came for a high ball and clattered into his own player, spilling it straight to Romo.

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He just needed to poke the ball first time into an unguarded net, triggering pandemonium.

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Hong surprisingly hauled off the veteran talisman Son before the hour and threw on Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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But the Koreans were mostly toothless going forward until the final few minutes, when Guadalajara native Rangel came to Mexico’s rescue.

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They will face the Czech Republic in their final group game.

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South Africa and the Czechs drew 1-1 earlier in the day.

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AFP

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