Mexico's midfielder Luis Romo shoots and scores his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and Korea at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Thursday (local time). AFP-Yonhap
Korea’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup are still up in the air after a 1-0 loss to Mexico in Guadalajara on Thursday (local time).
A second half goalkeeping error from Kim Seung-gyu handed the hosts the goal, the three points and an early place in the Round of 32. Korea meanwhile still has to face South Africa next week, needing a point to be sure of advancing but no longer able to finish in first place in Group A.
Ultimately it was a frustrating performance from Hong Myung-bo’s team, who impressed when beating the Czech Republic 2-1 last week. Kim’s error will be the talking point but, at the opposite end of the field, Korea failed to trouble the Mexican defense until the final moments of the game.
The first task of any team playing in front of a hostile crowd is to take the sting out of the atmosphere and that is what Korea did in the first half. The Asian team controlled much of the match, setting the tempo, even if there was little action in the penalty area for fans watching back home to get excited about.
