Mexico has become the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup, defeating South Korea 1-0 in a thrilling match on Friday. The win marks a major triumph for the team, which failed to get out of the group stage in 2022 and has now won twice on home soil in front of jubilant crowds.
Luis Romo scored the winning goal in the 50th minute after a defensive blunder by South Korea, and Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel made crucial saves to deny South Korea's attempts at equalizing.
Mexico won Group A with six points in two matches, three more than South Korea and five more than the Czech Republic and South Africa, who drew 1-1 earlier Thursday. The top two teams from each group move on to the knockout stage, along with the best eight third-place teams.
This marks a historic moment for Mexico, which had never won a World Cup game on home soil outside Mexico City before. The team will close out group play on Wednesday against the Czech Republic in Mexico City.
