Co-hosts Mexico became the first team to enter the World Cup’s knockout rounds on Thursday, defeating South Korea 1-0 at a the Guadalajara Stadium.
After a gloomy first half, Luis Romo’s goal just after halftime, thanks to a goalkeeping error, sent Mexico through as Group A victors with one match remaining.
Raul Rangel, Mexico’s goalkeeper, produced a spectacular double save in the dying minutes to keep their advantage.
Finishing first keeps Mexico at home in the Round of 32, where they will face a third-placed team in Mexico City.
“It’s really difficult to deal with the emotions,” coach Javier Aguirre said of the challenges going into the game.
He reserved praise for Rangel and the supporters in Guadalajara.
“His save was just amazing,” said Aguirre.
“It was quite a tactical match and hard to digest for the fans, but they were outstanding.
“I would just like to say thank you to them; they’ve been fantastic ever since we got here.
“Mexico jerseys were everywhere; everywhere you turned it was green shirts.”
South Korea is in second place with three points, followed by the Czech Republic and South Africa with one each.
Hong Myung-bo’s team faces South Africa next and is still in a strong position to advance.
Aguirre made three changes to the team that defeated South Africa 2-0 a week ago to start the tournament.
Hong made only one change for South Korea, primarily sticking with the lineup that came back to overcome the Czech Republic 2-1.
After 15 minutes, skipper Son Heung-min had his first chance at goal, looping the ball over Rangel, but Edson Alvarez saved it with a bicycle kick on the line.
Los Angeles FC’s Son was tagged for offside late in the game, despite the fact that replays indicated a close call.
Julian Quinones, who scored the tournament’s first goal, then forced South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu to make a fantastic save on a header, raising the volume.
The rest of an unremarkable half belonged to South Korea, who stroked the ball around at will without creating a clear chance, although they did succeed in quieting the home crowd.
Mexico fans chanted jeers during halftime.
The hosts began the second period with significantly more energy, and five minutes later they went ahead when goalie Kim came for a high ball and collided with his own player, spilling it straight to Romo.
He only needed to poke the ball into an unprotected net for the first time, causing chaos.
Hong shockingly removed veteran talisman Son before the hour and replaced him with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan.
However, the Koreans were mostly toothless until the last few minutes, when Rangel, a Guadalajara native, came to Mexico’s rescue.
They’ll play the Czech Republic in their last group game.
South Africa and the Czech Republic tied 1-1 earlier in the day.
