Mexico beats South Korea 1-0, becomes first team to reach World Cup 2026 knockout stage

Mexico booked the first ticket to the knockout phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a nervy 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday evening at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. The result, combined with Czech Republic’s 1-1 draw against South Africa earlier in the day, means El Tri have an unassailable six points with one group match remaining.

Blunt first half

Neither side managed a shot on target until the 20th minute, when Julián Quiñones met a cross with a diving header that goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collected comfortably. South Korea thought they had taken the lead at the quarter-hour mark when Son Heung-min chipped Raúl Rangel, but the effort was ruled offside after Edson Álvarez hooked the ball off the line. The half ended goalless to a chorus of boos from the home crowd, frustrated by Mexico’s lack of attacking edge.

Gift-wrapped winner

Five minutes after the restart, the deadlock broke in the scrappiest fashion. Raúl Jiménez fired a shot that Kim Seung-gyu should have held, but the Korean keeper spilled the ball at the feet of Luis Romo, who tapped into an empty net. The goal stood as the only score of the night and ultimately decided the contest. South Korea pressed hard for an equaliser, forcing Rangel into a double save in the closing stages, but could not convert their 58% possession into a goal.

Group A standings

Mexico sit on six points, three clear of South Korea, while the Czech Republic and South Africa each have a single point after their 1-1 draw. El Tri are now guaranteed first place, meaning they will face the third best third-placed team in the last 32.

What comes next

The group concludes on June 24. Mexico head to Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca to play the Czech Republic, and South Korea travel to Monterrey for a winner-takes-all clash with South Africa that will decide second place.