FIFA World Cup 2026: Mexico becomes first country to reach knockout stage, beating South Korea 1-0

GUADALAJARA, Mexico: Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 in the World Cup on Thursday to win Group A, with Luis Romo's second-half goal securing the ‌hosts ⁠their place ⁠in the knockout stage.

Mexico broke ​through five minutes into the second half after ​the South Korean goalkeeper, Kim Seung-gyu, made a costly error ​when he failed to ⁠gather a ‌cross after colliding ​with ​a teammate, allowing Romo ⁠to volley into an unguarded net.

Kim later made amends with a save to deny Raul Jimenez, while Raul Rangel in the Mexican goal brilliantly stopped a late attempt from Yang Hyun-jun ‌to preserve Mexico's clean sheet.


The result leaves Mexico on six points to ⁠qualify as Group A winners. They will face Czech Republic at the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday, while South Korea, on three points, face South Africa in Monterrey.