Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, as they beat South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara to improve to six points from two games and finish top of Group A.
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The first half featured just five shots and 0.22 xG between the two sides, but the game opened up a bit more in the second half after Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute. Korean goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim came rushing off his line and jumped to catch a completely innocuous floating ball high in the Mexican night sky, only he came down on top of one of his defenders and spilled the ball on the ground.
Romo was waiting in the right place at the right time and lifted it over Kim and into an empty net for the game’s only goal.
Because the new World Cup format uses head-to-head results as the first tiebreaker during the group stage, Mexico are guaranteed to finish top and will face a third-place side in the round of 32, on home soil, after finishing up group play against Czechia. South Korea (3 points) sit 2nd and that is where they will finish with at least a draw against South Africa in their finale.
Below is everything you need for Mexico vs South Korea, with live updates, analysis and video highlights as it all played out.
Mexico vs South Korea final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Luis Romo (50')
S. Kim - H. Lee, Mi. Kim, G. Lee - Mo. Kim, Hwang, Paik, Seol - K. Lee, J. Lee, Son
Rangel - Sanchez, Alvarez, Vasquez, Gallardo - Lira, Romo, Gutierrez - Alvarado, Quiñones, Jimenez
Son went so close to scoring on several occasions against Czechia and is playing right on the last shoulder of the defender as he looks to use his supreme finishing ability in the key areas. South Korea’s one main area of weakness is defending set pieces and they will have to keep a close eye on Raul Jimenez and his aerial threat.
Center back Cesar Montes is out for this game after picking up a one-game ban for being sent off late on against South Africa. Edson Alvarez will likely come in for Montes at center back, but not much else will change for Mexico. Midfielders Brian Gutierrez, Alvaro Fidalgo and Erik Lira will once again have a really important role to play in stepping high and winning the ball back early. Teenager Gilberto Mora is a hero already and is pushing hard for more minutes after the 17-year-old came off the bench against South Africa.
Here’s all of the info you need to watch Mexico vs South Korea, with TV channel and streaming info below.
How to watch Mexico vs South Korea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9pm ET Thursday (June 18)
Venue: Estadio Akron — Guadalajara, Mexico
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
