Mexico became the first team to secure a place in the World Cup knockout stage after Luis Romo’s second-half goal earned the co-hosts a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday.
The result moved Javier Aguirre’s side onto six points from two Group A matches, confirming top spot in the group and ensuring their Round of 32 tie will be played in Mexico City on June 30.
Romo scored the decisive goal three minutes after the restart, capitalising on a costly error by South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu. The keeper spilled a cross after colliding with a teammate, allowing the Mexico midfielder to tap into an empty net.
The breakthrough lifted the mood inside Guadalajara Stadium after a disappointing first half in which sections of the home crowd booed the hosts off the pitch.
Mexico had dominated possession early but struggled to create clear opportunities, while South Korea grew into the contest and looked the more threatening side before the break.
Captain Edson Alvarez, filling in at centre-back following Cesar Montes’ suspension, produced a spectacular overhead clearance off the goal line to deny Son Heung-min, although the South Korea captain was later ruled offside.
South Korea controlled much of the closing stages of the first half, unsettling a frustrated Mexico side, but Aguirre’s men held firm after taking the lead to secure qualification.
“It was a very close game; we didn’t give up a single centimetre and fought for every ball as if it were our last,” Aguirre told TV Azteca.
“It was a game where whoever made a mistake would lose, and it was them. It was a game to forget, but the result is one to remember.”
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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