Mexico’s celebration continues
The first World Cup group winner has been determined
Updated June 19, 2026 – 5:03 amReading time: 2 minutes
After 45 minutes, the spectators are disappointed and whistle at both teams. Then Mexico scores and the game gains momentum.
Mexico is the first team to reach the knockout rounds World Cup withdrawn. After a serious goalkeeping mistake, “El Tri” managed a 1-0 (0-0) draw against South Korea in Zapopan and is already confirmed as the winner of Group A. Luis Romo scored the only goal of the game (50th minute), but in the end Mexico had to worry about victory.
This also means: Mexico, which already used the home advantage at the home World Cup in 1970 and 1986 and made it to the quarter-finals in each case, will play its round of 16 in the legendary Aztec Stadium. And if the Mexicans win that too, they would also play the round of 16 game in the football temple.
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3-0 | +3 | 6 | ||||
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2:2 | 0 | 3 | ||||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2:3 | -1 | 1 | ||||
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1:3 | -2 | 1 |
The South Koreans around Bayern professional Min-jae Kim remain second in the group with three points. Behind them, with one point each, are the Czech Republic, Mexico’s last group opponent, and South Africa, against whom South Korea still has to play.
That’s how the game went
Both nations arrived at the Estadio Akron, located in the Zapopan suburb of the city of Guadalajara, with opening victories. Mexico won the memorable opening game of the XXL World Cup 2-0 against South Africa in the Aztec Stadium, including three sending-offs, and South Korea defeated the Czech Republic 2-1.
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The Asians, who were apparently spied on by a drone during training earlier in the week, had their first great chance out of nowhere: Former Bundesliga professional Heung-Min Son left goalkeeper Raúl Rangel standing with a lob, and Johan Vásquez made a last-ditch save from the line. Son was also offside in advance.
Otherwise little happened apart from a header from Mexico’s Julián Quinones (20th). As at the start, the host audience acknowledged their team’s performance at halftime with loud boos and whistles. But then Kim dropped a safely intercepted cross after a collision with his teammate – and Romo was the fastest to switch gears.
South Korea’s coach Myung-bo Hong took Son and Mainz’s Jae-Sung Lee off the field and brought in two strikers (57′), but the “Taeguk Warriors” lacked ideas. On the other side, substitute Obed Vargas (85th) missed the decision, shortly afterwards Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel (87th) made a desperate save.