Mexico secures knockout stage spot with win over South Korea
The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 19, 2026, 3:06 AM
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 on June 19 at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first team to reach the knockout stage. The only goal came in the 50th minute due to a mistake by South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, allowing Luis Romo to score. The match was marked by a lack of offensive creativity from both teams, with Mexico struggling in the first half. A late double save from Mexican keeper Raúl Rangel helped maintain the lead. Mexico will play their next knockout games at home if they finish first in Group A.
- •Luis Romo scored the only goal at 50 minutes
- •South Korea's Kim Seung-gyu mishandled a header leading to the goal
- •Raúl Rangel made key saves to preserve the shutout
- •Mexico clinches top position in Group A
- •South Korea will face South Africa in their next match
- 3:06 AMThe Guardian Sport — South Korea howler gifts Mexico victory as World Cup co-hosts reach knockout phase
- 3:04 AMYahoo Sports — 2026 World Cup: Mexico defeats South Korea to win Group A and clinch first knockout berth
"It wasn’t pretty, distinguished by little other than its black v lilac colour scheme, but Mexico became the first side at the 2026 World Cup to secure their place in the knockout stage. If they and England both top their groups, the path is open for an apocalyptic meeting at the Azteca in the last 16. The question for Mexico and South Korea after their opening wins was whether they had been good or their opponents bad, and this offered a fairly clear answer: neither is over-blessed with creative edge. The only goal came after 50 minutes and was a gift from South Korea. Kim Seung-gyu, the goalkeeper, came to claim a looping header, but did so over the top of Lee Ki-hyuk, jarring his elbow on the defender’s head and spilling the ball for Luis Romo, who hooked in his fifth international goal on his 64th appearance. Romo was one of three changes made from Mexico’s line-up for the opener, coming in for Álvaro Fidalgo as Javier Aguirre resisted the popular demand to give a start to the 17-year-old Gilberto Mora. A remarkable double save from Raúl Rangel in the closing minutes preserved the lead as he got down to parry Cho Gue-sung’s header and had the core strength to twist and gather Yang Hyun-jun’s sliced follow-up. Continue reading...
"A goal from Luis Romo, and a stunning late save from Raúl Rangel, gave Mexico the 1-0 win.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJun 19, 2026, 3:06 AMSouth Korea howler gifts Mexico victory as World Cup co-hosts reach knockout phase
It wasn’t pretty, distinguished by little other than its black v lilac colour scheme, but Mexico became the first side at the 2026 World Cup to secure their place in the knockout stage. If they and England both top their groups, the path is open for an apocalyptic meeting at the Azteca in the last 16. The question for Mexico and South Korea after their opening wins was whether they had been good or their opponents bad, and this offered a fairly clear answer: neither is over-blessed with creative edge. The only goal came after 50 minutes and was a gift from South Korea. Kim Seung-gyu, the goalkeeper, came to claim a looping header, but did so over the top of Lee Ki-hyuk, jarring his elbow on the defender’s head and spilling the ball for Luis Romo, who hooked in his fifth international goal on his 64th appearance. Romo was one of three changes made from Mexico’s line-up for the opener, coming in for Álvaro Fidalgo as Javier Aguirre resisted the popular demand to give a start to the 17-year-old Gilberto Mora. A remarkable double save from Raúl Rangel in the closing minutes preserved the lead as he got down to parry Cho Gue-sung’s header and had the core strength to twist and gather Yang Hyun-jun’s sliced follow-up. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJun 19, 2026, 3:04 AM2026 World Cup: Mexico defeats South Korea to win Group A and clinch first knockout berth
A goal from Luis Romo, and a stunning late save from Raúl Rangel, gave Mexico the 1-0 win.
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