Mexico have become the first team to secure a place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging South Korea 1-0 in their second Group A match on Friday.
The co-hosts claimed all three points courtesy of a costly mistake by South Korean goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim.
Kim failed to deal with a header from Raul Jimenez, spilling the ball into the path of Luis Romo, who calmly lifted his effort over the stranded goalkeeper to score the game’s only goal.
While Kim’s error proved decisive, Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel delivered a match-winning performance at the other end, producing a brilliant double save to deny South Korean substitute Gue-Sung Cho.
The victory leaves Mexico as the only team with a perfect record after two matches at the tournament and puts them in a strong position to finish top of Group A.
Finishing as group winners would see Javier Aguirre’s side play their Round of 32 fixture in Mexico City.







