GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Mexico has become the first team to advance to the World Cup knockout stage, claiming the top spot in Group A with a narrow 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday in Guadalajara.
The win gave Javier Aguirre’s squad six points through two matches and locked in a home Round of 32 appearance in Mexico City on June 30, where they will face a third-place finisher.
The only goal of the match came just three minutes into the second half, courtesy of a costly blunder by South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu. The keeper collided with one of his own teammates while trying to handle a cross, spilling the ball and leaving midfielder Luis Romo with an open net to finish from the center of the penalty area.
“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 in an interview with 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.”
The goal was a welcome relief after a flat opening half that left portions of the home crowd booing Mexico off the field at halftime. The co-hosts had controlled early possession but were unable to create meaningful scoring opportunities, and South Korea gradually took over as the half wore on.
Captain Edson Alvarez, filling in at center back due to Cesar Montes’ suspension, made a stunning goal-line clearance to deny South Korea’s Son Heung-min — though Son was later ruled offside on the play.
Once Romo’s goal hit the net, the atmosphere inside Guadalajara Stadium shifted dramatically. Fans began singing the traditional Mexican folk song “Cielito Lindo” — translated as “Lovely Sweetheart” — as Mexico regained control of the contest.
Mexico nearly extended their lead midway through the second half when Raul Jimenez brought down a pass from Julian Quinones and struck a half-volley from close in, but Kim responded with a brilliant save to keep it a one-goal game. The South Korean goalkeeper also turned away a long-range shot from substitute Obed Vargas with a diving stop.
South Korea pushed hard for an equalizer in the closing minutes and came within inches of leveling the score, but Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel came up with a stunning double save at point-blank range — first stopping a close-range shot with his foot, then diving across to smother the rebound.
Mexico held on through wave after wave of South Korean pressure to seal the victory and their place in the next round.
“We were patient, not passive. It’s not easy, we’re seeing some very close matches,” Aguirre said. “We’ll see how the last match plays out and wait for our opponent. I’m leaving happy because it means we’re not leaving home, our beloved Mexico.”
Mexico will wrap up group play against Czech Republic, while South Korea still has a chance to advance when they take on South Africa on Wednesday.
