Overview
- Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the World Cup round of 16.
- Luis Romo scored the only goal after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung‑Gyu collided with a defender and spilled the ball, which Romo tapped into an empty net.
- Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel preserved the lead with a dramatic double save on the goal line late in the match to deny Korea an equalizer.
- Coach Javier Aguirre defended tactical choices that left Álvaro Fidalgo and Armando González on the bench and said the team was 'obligated to try to win,' while South Korea coach Hong Myung‑Bo said a training drone did not change his tactics.
- Because FIFA’s tiebreakers prioritize head‑to‑head results and Mexico defeated Korea, the Tri cannot be overtaken for first in Group A; they return to the Azteca to face the Czech Republic on June 24 with rotation likely before meeting one of the best third‑placed teams on June 30.