Mexico national football team made history by becoming the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The host team secured a place in the last 32 after defeating South Korea 1-0 in a crucial Group A match.
Mexico did not play to their potential in the first half of the match in Guadalajara. Under pressure from their home fans, the team played a somewhat chaotic football and was booed by the spectators during the break. However, they turned things around in the second half and secured a valuable victory.
Romo’s only goal wins
The decisive goal came in the 50th minute of the match. South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a mistake in controlling the ball, and Mexican midfielder Luis Romo took advantage of the opportunity. He easily tapped the ball into the net from close range to give his team the lead.
After conceding a goal, South Korea increased their attack to equalize. They created several great chances, especially towards the end of the match. But Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel showed remarkable skill in stopping several clear-cut goals.
Mexico saved by Wrangel’s determination
South Korea’s biggest chance came in the 87th minute. Rangel made a great save from Cho Gue-sung’s powerful header. He also succeeded in the return shot. Earlier, captain Son Heung-min came close to scoring, but the Mexican defense managed to save the danger at the last moment.
Mexico in a favorable position on the way to the knockouts
Mexico advanced to the knockout stage as group champions with a 100% success rate after winning two consecutive matches. As a result, the team will have the advantage of playing the next round of matches at home.
On the other hand, despite the loss, South Korea’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages are not over yet. Having won their first match, they can only qualify for the next round if they perform well in their final group match.
Match results
Mexico 1-0 South Korea
Goals:
Luis Romo (50 minutes)
With this victory, Mexico became the first team to secure a place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. Now their goal is to keep their dream of winning the title alive and move even further.