Mexico beat South Korea 1-0, become first team to reach World Cup knockouts

Mexico beat South Korea 1-0, become first team to reach World Cup knockoutsLuis Romo’s 50th-minute goal sent Mexico into the round of 32, which they will play on home soil, too.FIFA World Cup 2026 cohosts Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout rounds with a 1-0 win over South Korea at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.Luis Romo’s goal just after half-time put Mexico through as Group A winners with a match to go, following a goalkeeping clanger.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Neymar’s lingering calf injury to keep him out of Brazil vs Haitilist 2 of 3Bosnia’s World Cup knockout stage hopes dented with 4–1 loss to Switzerlandlist 3 of 36-0, Kone injury, 2 red cards: All to know about Canada vs Qatar matchend of listMexico stopper Raul Rangel, meanwhile, made a superb double save in the dying minutes to preserve their lead.Finishing top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico-city" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="1779" data-entity-type="location">Mexico City. South Korea are second on three points, with Czechia and South Africa also still alive on one.“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,” Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre told Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca.“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.“We’ll see how the last match plays out and wait for our opponent [in the round of 32]. I’m leaving happy, because it means we’re not leaving home, our beloved Mexico,” he added.Mexico’s players pose for a picture ahead of the match [Ulises Ruiz/AFP]Mexico and South Korea went into the clash in front of a passionate Mexican crowd, knowing that victory would guarantee progress in double-quick time.Aguirre made three changes from the side that beat South Africa 2-0 a week ago to open the tournament.His counterpart, Myung-Bo Hong, made just one alteration, largely keeping faith with the team that fought back to defeat Czechia 2-1.