2026 World Cup: Mexico reach the last 16 after a South Korea goalkeeper blunder, El Tri handed a lifeline
Mexico were hardly convincing, but they got the job done. On Thursday at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, El Tricolor beat South Korea 1-0 and became the first side to book their place in the 2026 World Cup last 16. The only goal came from a costly mistake by South Korea keeper Kim Seung-gyu, who spilled a harmless high ball in the 50th minute, allowing Luis Romo to stab home. A stroke of luck for a team that had struggled to create much in front of 70,000 green-clad fans, already roaring hours before kick-off.
Because once again, Mexico were nowhere near good enough to set pulses racing. Alvarado and Gutierrez both sent tame efforts flying early on, Quinones headed over, then came a string of missed chances after the break, including a poor effort from Gallardo in the 49th minute. South Korea, technically and individually the better side, could only blame themselves for repeated offside issues (16th, 32nd, 76th) that wiped out several promising breaks. Kim Seung-gyu partly made amends with saves from Jimenez and Vargas, while his Mexico counterpart Rangel twice cleared off the line late on to deny the Koreans.
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A party in the stands, calculations on the pitch
In the stands of this volcano-like stadium, the atmosphere matched Mexico’s obsession with football. Thousands of colourful, costumed fans had packed in hours before kick-off under a blazing sun, turning the Akron’s red seats into a sea of green. It was fairground chaos with a prize at the end, and the prize arrived, even if the performance left plenty to be desired.
On the numbers, that second straight win gives Mexico the luxury of playing two more matches at home. Their third group game against the Czech Republic takes place on 25 June at the Azteca in Mexico City, which will also host their last-16 tie and, potentially, a quarter-final. El Tricolor will be hoping to go further than usual at a World Cup they are co-hosting, but to do that, they will need to show a very different side to the one on display in these first two outings.
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Credit photo : Ulises Ruiz ( via AFP)
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