GUADALAJARA: Co-host Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over South Korea at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.
Luis Romo’s goal just after halftime put Mexico as the winner of Group A with one game left, after a goalkeeper error.
On the contrary, Mexican stopper Raúl Rangel made a magnificent double save in the final minutes to preserve his lead.
Finishing first keeps Mexico at home in the round of 16 with a match against a third-place team in Mexico City.
South Korea is second with three points, while the Czech Republic and South Africa are also still alive with one.
Both teams went into the clash in front of a passionate crowd knowing that victory would guarantee progress in double-quick time.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made three changes from the team that beat South Africa 2-0 a week ago to open the tournament.
His counterpart Hong Myung-bo made just one change, largely keeping faith with the team that fought back to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.
South Korea captain Son Heung-min had the first sniff of goal after 15 minutes, passing the ball over Rangel only for Edson Alvarez to prevent it from going in with a bicycle kick on the line.
Los Angeles FC attacker Son was late penalized for offside, although replays suggested it was close.
Julián Quiñones, who scored the first goal of the tournament, then forced South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu to make a good save with a header, raising the decibels.
The rest of a quiet half belonged to South Korea, who caressed the ball as they pleased, never creating a clear chance, but they did manage to silence the home fans.
At half-time boos were heard from the Mexican fans.
The locals started the second half with much more intention, and after five minutes they took the lead when goalkeeper Kim attempted a high ball and collided with his own player, throwing it directly to Romo.
He just needed to put the ball into an unprotected net for the first time, causing chaos.
Surprisingly, Hong took off veteran talisman Son before the hour mark and threw in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan.
But the Koreans were practically powerless in the attack until the final minutes, when Rangel, a native of Guadalajara, came to the rescue of Mexico.
They will face the Czech Republic in their final group stage match, while South Korea will face South Africa.
South Africa and the Czechs tied 1-1 that same day.
