Mexico 1 vs 0 South Korea summary: updates, goals, score and highlights | 2026 World Cup Group A

South Korea didn't have a chance until the very last minutes of the match. Raul Rangel came up with not one but two miracles to keep Korea off the board and secure the win for his side. Two matches, two wins and two clean sheets for the co-hosts that have had a fantastic start to their World Cup campaign. They have Group A wrapped up and can go into their final match against Czechia breathing easy. 

Quinones found Jimenez on the back post and he had a chance to double the lead but Kim made a heroic save. He would then make another one handed save on Vargas to keep his side in the match after his blunder earlier in the half. 

It was a special occasion from Guadalajara and the fans brought it when their team needed it most. Group A was on the line and the fans did their part to boost the team to a win and the top spot coming out of Group A. 

If it's tough to watch for us, imagine how tough it is to watch for the Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo. 

Canelo was in attendance for the biggest game that has ever been played in his hometown. 

The first half ended with Korea looking like the better side, but that didn't last coming out of the break. Mexico took back control but it took a mistake to get them on the board first. It was an innocent ball sent into the area from Quinones and Kim collided with a teammate in the box and spilled it to Luis Romo and the Chivas man scored the only goal in the place he calls home. 

Mexico came out and commended the first 20-25 minutes, but didn't make a big impact in the final third. It took a perfectly placed ball from Alvarado to Quinones who nodded it on goal but Kim came up with a split second save to keep Mexico off the board. 

What a night it was from Guadalajara. For the first time in this World Cup there was something on the line in this game. Obviously there is always something on the line, but Mexico and Guadalajara were playing for Group A and it was El Tri that came out on top after a mistake from Korea's keeper. 

This was one of the first chances of the night. It was Son who was played in and chipped it over the head of the Mexico keeper but Alvarez was there to clear it off the line. The flag went up but it was an early scare for Mexico and the fans around the stadium here from Guadalajara. 

IT'S ALL OVER FROM GUADALAJARA!!!

MEXICO BEAT KOREA AND WIN GROUP A!!!!

Vargas broke away on the counter and it was a foot race but he just had that ball poked away on his to the area. 

Gallardo gets to the end of that skyward ball to the right side and rockets it out in to touch. 

Corner kick to the back post is cleared away and Korea are running out of time. 

Ball into Cho in the box who nodded it at goal and Vasquez made a fantastic intervention to deflect that for a corner kick. 

Great ball towards the back post and Lee was in space and had a chance but couldn't put that header on target! That might have been their last chance. 

Corner kick to come after Hung pushes forward and looked to put in a cross. 

Do Korea have one more chance left in them?

SIX MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!!!

What a time to make your first save of the night. Rangel hadn't had a shot to deal with all night but that was one of the best saves he has ever made. Genius goalkeeping from the Mexico No. 1

MIRACLE!!!!

RANGEL MAKES NOT ONE BUT TWO INCREDIBLE SAVES OFF THE BEAUTIFUL BALL IN TO GUESUNG!!!

He got a leg to the header attempt and then made a one handed save on the rebound from Guesung. 

Vargas with a shot out of nowhere and he hit it off the half volley! It was a rocket that was somehow saved with one hand by the Korea keeper Kim!

Quinones out for a Guadalajara native Huertas. 

Quinones won a ball back in the middle of the park and instead of pushing forward like Mexico always do he played it into space so El Tri could enjoy a spell of possession. 

S. Jimenez chasing after a long ball from the back but that was nodded back to the keeper and Korea have to turn up the intensity in these final minutes. 

Jimenez off for Reyes and Alvarado out for Santiago Jimenez. 

Ten minutes to go and it's nervy in Guadalajara even though they have the lead. 

It was a really good build up from Korea from the back and Kangin got a rush of blood to the head and tried one from distance that sailed over the cross bar. 

Cho and Eom in for Kim and Paik

Yang puts a ball square in the area to Hyeon-Gyu who stretched but couldn't reach that ball out in front of him. 

Quinones with a brilliant ball to the back post for Jimenez who took it down teed it up and fired from a tight angle and it was the Korea keeper making himself big and blocking that point black shot. 

Vargas sent Quinones chasing on a ball to the end line and that rolled out for a goal kick. 

Gallardo dragged down by Yang and that will give Mexico a chance to catch their breath. 

What can Korea build in the midfield with everyone tucked back for Mexico. El Tri will take their chances if they are offered but they look like they have no interest in forcing anything. 

Pineda and Vargas in for Gutierrez and Romo. 

Hyun-Jun and Ji Sung for Seol and Youngwoo

The hydration break is over, and we have some subs coming in for Mexico 

WE ARE HEADING TO THE HYDRATION BREAK IN THIS SECOND HALF. 

Korea playing the way their playing is going to open things up for Mexico on the counter. We just got a flash of that with Quinones but nothing came of the break. 

Mexico dropping everyone back behind the ball and Korea are just trying to pull them out of position with large stints of possession. The Mexico defense is holding strong and have barely made their keeper Rangel work. 

Korea are hanging on to the ball but not forcing too much right now. They want to win this game, but they also know another goal for Mexico would spoil their chances at winning the group tonight. 

Hee-Chan and Hyeon-Gyu in for Son and Jae-Sung.

“Canta No Llores” ringing around the stadium here in Guadalajara. It's a festive atmosphere here since the goal 

Son was played in space at the top of the box and he just got the ball tangled under his feet which allowed the defense to recover and extinguish the danger. 

Remember that the early draw between Czechia and South Africa means the winner tonight is going to win the group with one match to go in group stages. 

The ball in from Quinones should have been easy for the keeper but he came over the top of Min-Jae and spilled it and Romo was there to tap it home. 

Gallardo started in the action all the way in the back, gave it up and got it back fron Jimenez. His shot from a tight angle hit the side netting at the front post but that was better for Mexico. 

No subs for either team out of the break. Let's see how long that holds true. 

WE ARE BACK IN GUADALAJARA FOR THE SECOND 45 OF THIS MASSIVE MATCHUP IN GROUP A!

Chicharito knows that first half wasn't enough from his country's team. Mexico have to respond here in this second 45. 

Alvarado sent in a beautiful ball to the head of Quinones who flashed it on goal and a great save was needed from Kim Seung-Gyu. This is the first match of the tournament that something feels like it's on the line and these two teams are playing like it. 

Not much for chances for either side. Korea had an early goal scoring opportunity early on but Son was flagged for offside before trying to dink a shot over the keeper Rangel. 

WE ARE HEADING TO THE HALFTIME BREAK FROM GUADALAJARA!

Lee Kang In and Lira chirping at one and other in the middle of the pitch. The fans might be friendly but these two teams are fighting for their World Cup lives. 

FOUR MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME IN THE FIRST HALF. 

Kim swings in a delicious ball to Lee in the area and he just couldn't stretch out enough to deflect that ball towards goal. Halftime can't come soon enough for Mexico. 

Mexico not being allowed to string more than a couple of passes together before losing possession. 

Every Mexico player dropping back behind the ball when Korea have the ball and that just shows you that Korea have taken a bit of control of this game as we approach halftime. 

Hwang threads the needle to Seol who took it one time from a tight angle and that chance goes begging. 

This is where Mexico are so dangerous. When their opponent start to feel comfortable pushing up that's when they strike. Korea have to be cautious about the counter. 

Nothing really coming of Korea's possession but Mexico is on the back foot at the moment and the crowd might be starting to get restless. 

The game mostly being played in the middle third of the pitch and right now Korea with a spell of possession which isn't pleasing the home fans too much. 

Romo with a nice turn in the middle of the park to free up some space and in a game that has only had a handful of chances we have to appreciate the little things. Romo doing the little things there. 

This Korea side is really structured. Not too bunched up in the back, just really disciplined in the back and keeping their attacking formation when they get a chance to move forward.

Son has a shot on goal from a tight angle but the flag had gone up earlier in the action. Good tight line from Mexico so far. 

Gallardo's first ball into the area from the left side was just a bit over the head of Jimenez but watch out for him. He's such a threat pushing up from the full back position. 

Ball over the top for Jae-Sung and he tried to chest that down for Son but the flag went up and the attack comes to a quick halt. 

We are back in play after a quick hydration break. 

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK HERE FROM MEXICO. 

Quinones with the header off of a perfect ball in from Alvarado and it was the Korea keeper making a brilliant save to keep the home side off the board. 

Korea had the first real chance of the match but Son was ruled offside by a fingernail. The shot was cleared off the line anyway but it was enough to wake this Mexican side up. 

That last chance seems to have lit a fire under the crowd here in Guadalajara. This place is rocking. 

Alvarado skips around a defender on the right side and serves a perfect ball to Quinones who nods it on at point blank range but Kim Seung-Gyu made a spectacular save to keep that out. 

After the scare, Korea look like they have settled themselves in this match. They have Mexico on the back foot right now, how long can they keep it that way?

Son was played in behind the defense and chipped it up and over the head of Rangel. It was cleared off the goal line but the offside flag came up nullifying any sort of opportunity for Korea. 

Korea not too worried about pressuring too high up the park. This isn't a Mexico side that build too much out of the back. They like to strike quickly and I think Korea know that. They are willing to play back and let Mexico come at them. 

Mexico controlling this match early on and even some oles coming from the crowd here from Guadalajara. Not much has come from the possession but they are making Korea chase early. 

A little technical difficulties in the first 10 minutes, but we are back and rolling. Mexico have had a few chances to push forward in this first part of the match as Korea hold strong at the back and withstand the opening surge from El Tri. 

WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM GUADALAJARA!!!!

It is a mad house outside of the Guadalajara Stadium. Just wait until kick off. 

The Mexico fans have been more than welcoming for their Korean, guests but tonight it's a battle for the top of the group. No room for friends. No time for hospitality. 

Tonight's venue

We are at the Estadio Guadalajara from Zapopan, Mexico. This is usually called the Estadio Akron and it's locate in Jalisco. Chivas Guadalajara is the team that calls this stadium home. Mexico No. 1 Raul Rangel plays his club soccer here at Chivas, so does Brian Gutierrez and Roberto Alvarado. These players will have even more of a sense of playing on their home soil as they take on Korea. Look for Gutierrez to have a big game tonight. He has looked like his best version on this Mexico side, and is going to be a fan favorite here from Zapopan 

WHAT'S LEFT 

After this match there will be one more match day for these teams to settle scores. Korea Republic will play against South Africa while Mexico will play Czechia. The top two teams from this group are guaranteed to move on to the round of 32, and depending on the rest of the groups, there could be as many as three teams qualifying for the next round of the tournament out of this group. 

CHICARITO ON MEXICO 

It was an impressive performance from Mexico in the first match of their World Cup campaign. They scored a couple of goals, they took care of business on the defensive end but former El Tri striker says there is one thing they can do a bit better. "The only thing that I'll say they need to improve is being more offensive, more ruthless." They had plenty of chances to extend the lead against South Africa and if they are that wasteful this time around, Korea could punish them. 

Mexico XI

This is Javier Aguirre's starting XI. He's going with his same top three that put two on South Africa and created so many more chances. Alvarez steps in for Montes and takes the captains band in the center of defense. 

OCHOA TO RETIRE AFTER WORLD CUP 

While Messi and Ronaldo are getting all of the attention for participating in their sixth World Cup, we mustn't forget that Memo Ochoa is also in his sixth World Cup. He is unlikely to play much of a role for El Tri, but he is a legend in Mexico and the legend is set to hang up his boots at the end of this World Cup. The Club America product started his first team career in 2003, and has been all around the world since. From France, to Spain to Belgium to Italy and lastly Cyprus Ochoa has been a staple of the Mexican national team. He has 154 caps for El Tri, and would love to end his career with a historic run through the World Cup. 

Origins at the embassy

The origins of the love story between Mexico and South Korea goes far beyond this World Cup. Let's take you back to 2018. World Cup in Russia. On the final day of group stages, Mexico needed a favor from South Korea. They needed their future besties to beat Germany in order for Mexico to go through. South Korea delivered with a 2-0 win with both goals coming in stoppage time. The first thing the Mexican fans did was go to the South Korean embassy and celebrate at the doorstep. Since then the relationship between the two countries has blossomed. 

JIMENEZ SPECIAL GOAL 

You could see the emotion hit Raul Jimenez almost immediately after scoring his first World Cup goal. There are a couple of reasons for the wave of tearful joy. The goal was dedicated to his dad who he recently lost. His dad was the one that stuck with him,  that encouraged him to keep fighting and to keep recovering after fracturing his skull in a Premier League match when he was playing with Wolves. His career wasn't just in jeopardy, his life was in the balance for quite a while. It took him a long time to fully recover, both mentally and physically. His dad passed in March of this year, and just three month later, Jimenez scored his first World Cup goal, a header on his home soil. 

Here is the XI of Korea for their massive match up with Mexico from Guadalajara. 

Fan affair 

One of the coolest things about the World Cup doesn't happen in the stadiums, it doesn’t happen on the pitch, it happens in host cities and countries. People come flocking from all over the world to watch their team play in the biggest tournament but what the fans both domestic and from abroad find is the meshing of cultures, ideas, food and festivities. We may be from all over the world. We may speak different languages. We may look different. But we are people. People who love soccer. Who love a good time and the Mexicans and Koreans have been a perfect embodiment of everything that is great about the World Cup. 

MONTES SUSPENSION

The first match of the 2026 World Cup was explosive. There was passion, there were goals and there were red cards. Three red cards, in fact. Just one short of the total of red cards shown in all of Qatar's 2022 World Cup. Two were shown to the Bafana Bafana, and one was shown to Cesar Montes for an bit of a needless challenge on one of the South Africa players in stoppage time of a 2-0 game. Now El Tri will enter this match without their captain and one of their top defenders. 

AGUIRRE AFTER WIN 

Javier Aguirre is now in his third stint with El Tri during a World Cup. You would think after this many goes around, the nerves would have settled a bit. But this is a World Cup hosted on Mexican soil, and the nerves will only amplify as the matches get more and more important. “I've been in football for 50 years and I still get butterflies in my stomach before every single match. I get nervous,” said the manager on Thursday in Guadalajara. “It's hard to explain it. The one day I don't feel that, I'd rather go home.”

FIFA RANKINGS 

The FIFA Rankings chance on a daily basis, so as your World Cup insider, I feel the need to keep you updated on the rankings each and every day. Mexico has jumped up a few spaces after their win over South Africa. They come into tonight's match in 13th but still some how trail Italy who are 12th and not even in this tournament. Figure that out. Anyway, Korea moved up the standings after their round 1 win over Czechia. They are 22nd on the rankings and the second highest ranked Asian side behind Japan in 17th. 

Star watch: Korea

Every soccer fan in the world knows Son Heung-Min. He is now making his name known in the MLS with LAFC, but long before that the Korean was one of the top players on a top Premier League side. Before leaving for LaLa Land, Son was one of the top goal scoring threats for Tottenham. He's not too far removed from his career high 23 goal season he had at Tottenham back in the 21/22 season. Last year was his first in the MLS and he scored 12 goals in 13 matches to prove that he can still be a valuable addition to any team even though he may not be in in his prime. The 33 year old was subbed off in the 69th minute last game, but should be up for a full 90 in a must win match up here from Guadalajara. 

Star watch: Mexico

If you watched Mexico's opening match, you know that Julian Quinones was the most involved, and the most intent on making his mark on the match. The Al Qadsiah striker had a remarkable return of 33 goals in 31 matches in the Saudi League and he looks to have carried that form into the World Cup. He was involved in almost everything that Mexico did in the attacking third and maybe have been unlucky not to have another goal or two to his name by the end of the night. 

Last match: Mexico

You really couldn't have asked for a better debut for a co-hosting nation. With the weight of the world on their shoulders, and a prematch spectacle that would rival any festival or concert around the world, Mexico still had to deliver the goods in their opening match against South Africa. Julian Quinones started the party with an opening goal in the 9th minute. There were plenty more chances for Mexico in the first half as they dominated possession and created loads of chances but it wasn’t until a South Africa was shown a red card that Mexico doubled their advantage. Yaya Sithole was sent off in the 49th minutes and not long after Raul Jimenez scored a header to solidify the three points in their World Cup kickoff.  

We are live from Guadalajara  

Hello everyone and welcome to Zapopoan, Mexico where we are set for a battle at the top of the Group A table. It's only the seventh day of the tournament but we could see one of these two teams qualify for the round of 32 by the end of the night after each of them won their opening match last week. While the match will be played on the pitch, off the pitch these two countries have become the romance of the tournament. The Mexicans have welcomed the Koreans to their home, and the Koreans have fully embraced the their hosts hospitality but tonight, they will go head to head and put their friendship on hold for 90 minutes.  

Mexico vs. Korea Republic live 

We are officially a week removed from Mexico's win over South Africa and tonight we start round 2 of the group stages with qualification for the next phase of the tournament already up for grabs. The co-hosts, Mexico, looked great in their opener and will be hoping to build upon that performance against a Korea team that won their first game, and aiming to spoil the party for the co-hosts from Estadio Guadalajara. AS English will be with you all day providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight’s Group A match at the top of the table.