FIFA World Cup 2026: Mexico becomes first team to qualify for round of 32 after South Korea win

Mexico became the first team to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after edging South Korea 1-0 in a tense Group A clash in Guadalajara on Friday. The co-hosts made it two wins from two matches and secured qualification for the knockout stage with a game to spare.

Mexico vs South Korea, FIFA World Cup: Highlights

Backed by a partisan crowd at Akron Stadium, Mexico rode on Luis Romo’s second-half strike to maintain their perfect start to the tournament. The midfielder capitalised on a costly error from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, whose spilt catch inside the penalty area gifted the hosts the breakthrough early in the second half.

The result took Mexico to six points from two matches, enough to guarantee progression from Group A regardless of the outcome of the remaining fixtures. Javier Aguirre’s side had begun their campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa and followed it up with another disciplined performance to become the first nation to seal a place in the expanded knockout phase of the World Cup.

South Korea arrived in Guadalajara on the back of a win over Czechia and knew victory would also put them on the brink of qualification. However, the Asian side struggled to find rhythm in a hostile atmosphere and were ultimately punished for a moment of hesitation at the back.

The first half offered little separation between the two sides. Mexico enjoyed greater control of possession and looked the more adventurous team going forward, while South Korea remained compact and dangerous on the counterattack. Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested before the break as both teams cancelled each other out in midfield.

The decisive moment arrived five minutes after the restart. A high ball into the South Korean box caused confusion between Kim Seung-gyu and his defenders, with the goalkeeper unable to gather cleanly after colliding with a teammate. The loose ball fell kindly for Romo, who reacted quickest to steer his effort into the net and spark wild celebrations among the home supporters.

Mexico nearly doubled their lead as they continued to press, but South Korea gradually grew into the contest and mounted a late assault in search of an equaliser. The visitors came agonisingly close in the closing stages, only to be denied by a remarkable piece of goalkeeping from Raul Rangel.

The Mexico goalkeeper produced a stunning double save to keep out efforts from Cho Gue-sung and Yang Hyun-jun in quick succession, preserving his side’s lead and ensuring the hosts claimed all three points. The stop proved every bit as important as Romo’s winner as Mexico held firm under intense late pressure.

The victory confirmed Mexico as Group A winners with one match remaining and underlined their status as one of the early success stories of the tournament. They will conclude their group-stage campaign against Czechia on June 25, while South Korea face South Africa in a must-win encounter as they seek to join Mexico in the Round of 32.

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