Guadalajara (Mexico), June 19. Joint hosts Mexico defeated South Korea 1-0 in a thrilling Group A league match at the Guadalajara Stadium here on Friday (Indian time) and secured the first entry into the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The only goal of the match was scored by Luis Romo shortly after halftime. Taking advantage of Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu’s mistake, Romo scored an easy goal. In the last moments of the match, Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rangel made a brilliant save to maintain the team’s lead.
A victory built with effort and delivery.
Thank you, unconditional. Thank you Guadalajara. Another unforgettable night in the world!
#SomosMexico
#FWC26 #J2 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/N5zYhlaBCb
— Seleccionar National (@miseleccionmx) June 19, 2026
After securing top spot in Group A with six points from their second consecutive win, Javier Aguirre’s side will now face any third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H or I in the round of 32 in Mexico City on June 30. Mexico will play its last group match before the knockout round on June 25 against Czechia.
South Korea is in second place with three points and its last match will be against South Africa. Czechia and South Africa remain in the race for the knockouts with one point each. The meeting between these two on Thursday ended in a 1-1 draw.
Today we are staying in Guadalajara.
¡A fiesta that returns to all of Mexico!
#SomosMexico
pic.twitter.com/ehrfipbuAE
— Seleccionar National (@miseleccionmx) June 19, 2026
Talking about the match, the Mexican team had entered the field with the intention of winning amidst the tremendous support of the home crowd. Jesus Gallardo made Mexico’s intentions clear early in the second half when his shot went into the side netting. Just a minute later, in the 50th minute, a mismatch between Kim Seung-gyu and Lee Gihyuk led to the ball reaching Romo and he scored into the empty post.
Who said it like that? @ishowspeedsui y couldn’t contain the emotion?
This is how we all celebrate Rome’s goal, unconditionally.
#SomosMexico #FWC26 #J2 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/P1a9q4x0Tg
— Seleccionar National (@miseleccionmx) June 19, 2026
The first big chance of the match went to South Korea captain Son Heung-min in the 15th minute. He fired the ball over the goalkeeper, but Edson Alvarez stopped the ball on the line with a brilliant bicycle kick. Son was later declared offside, although replays showed the issue to be very close.
¡But sigo siendo el Reeeeeey! Ay ay ay
The skin of the Estadio Guadalajara after the victory of Mexico.
Una fiesta indelible.
#SomosMexico pic.twitter.com/CZM6H3buKI
— Seleccionar National (@miseleccionmx) June 19, 2026
Julian Quinones then put the Korean goalkeeper in trouble with a header, but the first half was relatively calm and South Korea controlled the ball, although could not create any major chances.
In the second half, Mexico started aggressively and took the lead. In the 75th minute, Kim Seung-gyu made up for his mistake and brilliantly blocked Raul Jimenez’s close-range shot. Three minutes before the end of the match, Raul Rangel made a brilliant double save on two consecutive shots from Cho Gyu-sung and Yang Hyun-jun to seal the victory for Mexico.
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