Luis 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.
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end of list Mexico 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. 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 .
South Korea skipper Son Heungmin had the first sniff at goal after 15 minutes, looping the ball over Rangel, only for Edson Alvarez to prevent it from going in with a bicycle kick on the line.
Los Angeles FC attacker Son was belatedly flagged for offside, although replays suggested it was a close call.
Julian Quinones , who scored the opening goal of the tournament, then forced South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu into a good save from a header, raising the decibels.
Mexico fans celebrate after the match [Paul Childs/Reuters] 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.
Jeers rang out at half-time from the Mexico fans.
The hosts started the second period with far more intent, and five minutes in, they went ahead when goalkeeper Kim came for a high ball and clattered into his own player, spilling it straight to Romo.
Romo just needed to poke the ball first time into an unguarded net, triggering pandemonium.
Hong surprisingly hauled off the veteran talisman Son before the hour and threw on Hwang Heechan of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But the Koreans were mostly toothless going forward until the final few minutes, when Guadalajara native Rangel came to Mexico’s rescue.
Mexico will face Czechia in their dead-rubber final group game, while South Korea play South Africa. South Africa and the Czechs drew 1-1 earlier in the day.
Mexico fans at Seoul International Park in the Koreatown neighbourhood of Los Angeles cheer after their team qualified for the knockouts [Etienne Laurent/AFP]
Read the full article at Al Jazeera English →📄Source document: PA Wire→8 reports
Koha.netIndependentCenter2 days agoMexico defeated South Korea 1:0 in their World Cup match, advancing to the knockout stage for the first time. The goal was scored by Luis Romo in the 50th minute after a defensive error by South Korea. Mexico's coach, Javier Aguirre, commented on the win, noting the team capitalized on South Korea's mistakes. Mexico had previously secured six points in Group A, ensuring their advancement.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports event with no political implications. It focuses solely on the game outcome, player actions, and coach comments without any biased language or political context.
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentCenter2 days agoCo-hosts Mexico secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea in Guadalajara, becoming the first team to advance to the World Cup knockout stage. The win came after a goal by Luis Romo following a defensive error. Mexico's goalkeeper Raul Rangel made crucial saves in the final moments to maintain the lead. Coach Javier Aguirre praised both Rangel and the fans for their support. South Korea remains in contention for advancement in the group stage.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a straightforward account of a sports event without any overt political commentary, bias, or framing that favors one side over another. It focuses on the match outcome, player performances, and coach comments, all presented neutrally.
TheJournal.ieIndependentCenter2 days agoMexico secured their place in the World Cup knockout stages with a 1-0 victory over South Korea. Luis Romo scored the only goal of the match in the 50th minute following an error by South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. The game was relatively low-scoring, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. Mexico's goalkeeper Raul Rangel made crucial saves late in the game to preserve the lead.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a straightforward account of the football match without any overtly biased language, framing, or emphasis on political issues. It focuses solely on the sporting event and does not take a stance on any political matter.
OslobođenjeIndependentCenter2 days agoMexico defeated South Korea 1:0 in their final group stage match at the World Cup, securing first place in Group A and advancing to the knockout phase. The only goal was scored by Luis Romo in the fifth minute of the second half after a defensive error by South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung Gyu. Mexico's defense, led by Raul Rangel, effectively prevented South Korea from equalizing.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a straightforward account of a sports match with no evident political framing, bias, or ideological emphasis. It focuses solely on the game's events, player actions, and outcomes without any commentary that could suggest a political stance.
Al Jazeera EnglishState / PublicCenter2 days agoMexico defeated South Korea 1-0 in a World Cup group stage match, securing their place in the knockout rounds as Group A winners. Luis Romo scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute, while goalkeeper Raul Rangel made crucial saves late in the game. Mexico will face a third-place team in the round of 32, hosted in Mexico City.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports event without political commentary, framing, or bias. The focus is purely on the match outcome, player performances, and quotes from the coach. There is no indication of ideological slant or selective emphasis.
France 24 (English)State / PublicCenter2 days agoCo-hosts Mexico secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea in Group A, becoming the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup 2026. Luis Romo scored the decisive goal shortly after halftime, while goalkeeper Raul Rangel made crucial saves in the final moments to maintain the lead. Mexico will face a third-place team in the next round, while South Korea remains in contention for second place.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a straightforward account of the football match without any overt ideological framing, biased language, or selective emphasis. It focuses on the sporting outcome and includes details about both teams' strategies and key players without taking a stance.
La TerceraParty-aligned🔒Center2 days agoMéxico defeated South Korea 1-0 in their group stage match, securing first place in Group A of the World Cup and advancing to the Round of 16. The game took on added significance after a draw between the Czech Republic and South Africa opened the second day of the group stage. Mexico had previously beaten South Africa in their opening match, while South Korea had defeated the Czech Republic.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a straightforward account of a sports match with no evident ideological framing, loaded language, or biased sourcing. It focuses on the game's outcome and tactical decisions without taking a stance on political or social issues.
RTÉ NewsState / PublicCenter3 days agoMexico defeated South Korea 1-0 in a World Cup group stage match, securing their place in the knockout phase as Group A winners. The decisive goal came from Luis Romo in the second half, capitalizing on a defensive error by South Korea's goalkeeper. Mexico will host their first knockout game in Mexico City on 30 June.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a straightforward account of the football match without evident ideological framing, loaded language, or biased emphasis. It focuses on the game events, player actions, and match outcomes without taking a stance on political or social issues.
