Mexico becomes first country to reach knockout stage of World Cup, beating South Korea 1-0
By TALES AZZONI, AP Sports Writer
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Mexico took advantage of a defensive blunder by South Korea to win 1-0 and become the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup on Thursday.
It marks a major triumph for a team that failed to get out of the group stage in 2022 and now has won twice on home soil in front of jubilant crowds. Mexico players celebrated at midfield and waved to the fans who cheered and sang from the packed stands at Estadio Akron.
Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Gi-hyuk and dropped the ball inside the area. Romo easily found the open net after picking up the loose ball.
The South Koreans nearly equalized in the 87th minute when Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel stopped a header from close range by Cho Gue-sung, then made an even better save of Yang Hyun-jun’s attempt on the rebound, extending his right arm to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Mexico’s Luis Romo, third left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring g his team’s first goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel (1) makes a save on the goal line during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Mexico’s Raul Jimenez (9), center, vies for the ball with South Korea’s Kim Min-jae (4) during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Mexico’s Luis Romo (7), left, scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel, middle, reaches to stop the ball during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
1 of 5
Mexico’s Luis Romo, third left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring g his team’s first goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Mexico won Group A with six points in two matches, three more than South Korea and five more than the Czech Republic and South Africa, who drew 1-1 earlier Thursday in Atlanta.
The top two teams from each group move on to the knockout stage, along with the best eight third-place teams. A round of 32 is being played for the first time at the World Cup after the tournament was expanded to 48 teams.
Mexico opened with a 2-0 win over South Africa, while South Korea rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Czechs.
Mexico closes group play on Wednesday against the Czech Republic in Mexico City, while South Korea takes on South Africa in Monterrey.
Mexico had never won a World Cup game on home soil outside Mexico City. Before 2026, all but one of its nine World Cup matches at home, spanning the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, had been played at Estadio Azteca, with five wins and three draws. When it played in Toluca in 1970, it lost 4-1 to Italy in the quarterfinals.
Thursday’s match got off to a lackluster start, with neither team creating significant scoring opportunities and both squads getting loudly booed after the halftime whistle.
Mexico, ranked 13th, was eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Qatar. That followed seven straight eliminations in the round of the 16.
Former Rep. Michelle Steel confirmed as new ambassador to South Korea News Former Rep. Michelle Steel was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday to serve as the country’s new ambassador to South Korea. Steel, 70, was nominated by President Donald Trump for the post in April. The two-term House member was born in South Korea to parents who fled North Korea…
World Cup coach sacked after one game and nightmare start to group stage Sports Tunisia’s French head coach Sabri Lamouchi has been sacked (Picture: Getty) Tunisia have sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi in the wake of their disastrous World Cup defeat against Sweden. The Eagles of Carthage arrived in America with genuine hope of progressing from the group stage, but their chances of qualification…
Fans from Iran show up to be heard on World Cup stage News INGLEWOOD – Despite his drive from Las Vegas to join the crowd at SoFi Stadium on Monday, Bahador Morady insisted he had no interest in what happened on the field when Iran took on New Zealand in the teams’ opening game of the World Cup. “I’m not here for this…
Australia’s World Cup roster represents the country’s new multiculturalism News SEATTLE — Introducing the Socceroos, the Australian men’s national soccer team: The left wing was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania to parents escaping civil war in Burundi. The central striker was born in a refugee camp in Guinea to parents escaping civil war in Liberia. Another striker was…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
