World Cup: Co-hosts Mexico first to qualify for Round of 32 after win over South Korea

World Cup: Co-hosts Mexico first to qualify for Round of 32 after win over South KoreaMexico are through to the Round of 32 at the World Cup as Group A winners after they narrowly beat South Korea. Since head-to-head results take precedence ahead of goal difference as tie breaker, Mexico will not lose their place at the top whatever happens in the final games for the two teams.The only goal of the game came from Luis Romo as he took advantage of Kim Seung-gyu's mistake in South Korea's goal five minutes after the restart.

The midfielder was an unused substitute in the opener against South Africa.South Korea upped the pressure late in the game as Raul Rangel made a superb double save before they earned the game's only two corner-kicks in injury-time. Mexico will play their Round of 32 tie in Mexico City, where they stay for the next round if they progress.

The only time Mexico won a knockout stage game was when they hosted the tournament in 1986. Javier Aguirre's side are yet to concede a goal at the 2026 World Cup. South Korea are still the favorites to join them in the Round of 32 as they aim to qualify for the knockout stages in back-to-back tournaments for the first time.

Bayern's Kim Min-jae and Mainz's Lee Jae-sung started for South Korea once again, while Borussia Mönchengladbach's German-born midfielder Jens Castrop is still waiting for his first minutes.