Mexico clinched the top spot in Group A and became the first team at the World Cup to advance to the knockout round after Luis Romo’s second-half goal delivered a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday. The match was played at Estadio Akron in Zapopan before a crowd of 45,522.
Both teams began cautiously and appeared content with a draw after winning their opening games, but five minutes into the second half Romo capitalized on a mistake by South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. Kim spilled a cross in his box and the Mexico winger calmly tapped the ball into an empty net for the lone goal.
Writers in the stands noted coach Javier Aguirre’s pragmatic approach, which often involves surrendering possession to maintain defensive organization and employ offside traps. That strategy produced dull stretches and led to jeers from the crowd at halftime, but Aguirre relaxed his structure after the goal and allowed his team to play with more freedom. Despite a frantic final 15 minutes, the co-hosts held firm.
South Korea’s adjustment to a 5-2-3 formation under coach Hong Myung-bo has shifted Son Heung-min into the most advanced role. Son had just 21 touches and was substituted in the 57th minute, the fewest of South Korea’s starting outfielders, and his lofted effort was denied by a goal-line clearance from Edson Álvarez — a strike that would have been ruled out for offside.
The report noted that Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung remain fixtures in the lineup, and that Hong faces decisions ahead of a decisive meeting with South Africa. Writers suggested possible options could include deploying Lee Jae-sung deeper in central midfield to allow Son greater involvement and introducing Oh Hyeon-gyu to lead the line.
Mexico earned their second win of the tournament and secured a place in the round of 32, but observers say the co-hosts still have areas to refine even as they advance.
