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Jun 19, 20261
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Mexico first team to advance to Round of 32 with 1-0 win over South Korea
Mexico defeated South Korea 1-0 on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. Luis Romo scored the winning goal in the 50th minute after a South Korean defensive error, as Mexico secured top spot in Group A with six points.
Quick Facts
Who
Mexico national football team
What
Mexico defeated South Korea 1-0 in a World Cup group match
When
Thursday
Where
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Mexico defeated South Korea 1-0 in a World Cup group match
- Luis Romo scored the only goal after a South Korean defensive error
- Mexico became the first team to advance to the Round of 32
- Raúl Rangel made a crucial save in the 87th minute
- Mexico national football team
Mexico became the first team to qualify for the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup after a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday night at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. The win, secured by a second-half goal from Luis Romo, ensured Mexico top Group A with six points from two matches.
Romo scored in the 50th minute after a costly South Korean defensive error. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Gi-hyuk while attempting to catch a high ball, dropping it inside the area. Romo pounced on the loose ball and slotted home into an empty net.
"A very tough match, very hard — we know each other well," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. "They pressed us a lot, we fought a lot, we gave no space, and at the end of the day, an error was going to tip the balance one way or another."
South Korea nearly equalized in the 87th minute when Cho Gue-sung headed towards goal, but Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel stretched his right arm to deny the ball crossing the line. "An excellent save by Rangel," Aguirre said. "It was very fast, pure reaction," Rangel added. "I was very concentrated and showed up when the team needed me."
The victory marks Mexico's third World Cup win over South Korea, following 3-1 in 1998 and 2-1 in 2018. It also extends Mexico's unbeaten home World Cup record, as the team had never won a World Cup match outside Estadio Azteca before. The result sparked celebrations across the country.
Mexico advances as group leaders, with three points ahead of South Korea and five more than the Czech Republic and South Africa, who drew 1-1 in Atlanta on Thursday. The top spot guarantees Mexico a Round of 32 match at Estadio Azteca, a new stage introduced this year after the tournament expanded to 48 teams. The final group matches are scheduled for next Wednesday.
Why This Matters
Mexico's qualification means they avoid a potentially tougher round-of-32 opponent and gain home-field advantage with a match at Estadio Azteca. For bettors and analysts, Mexico's defense (especially goalkeeper Rangel) looks sharp, while South Korea now faces a must-win final group match. The expanding tournament format (48 teams) makes group-stage dominance even more valuable.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 19, 2026
WireMatch played at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara