Korea's Son Heung-min, left, looks dejected after the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and Korea at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Thursday (local time) Reuters-Yonhap
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea fell to co-host Mexico 1-0 on Thursday for their first loss in Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, unable to clinch a knockout berth early.
Luis Romo scored the lone goal for El Tri in the 50th minute before a delighted home crowd at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico.
Korea, after beating Czechia 2-1 to begin the competition last week, remained at three points and now sit in second place behind Mexico, who improved to six points to win Group A with one match to spare.
Czechia and South Africa, who played to a 1-1 draw earlier Thursday, are each at one point, with Czechia occupying third place thanks to their superior goal difference.
