GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — With Mexico a few minutes away from securing a spot in the knockout stage of the World Cup it’s hosting with the U.S. and Canada, goalkeeper Raúl “Tala” Rangel extended his right arm and positioned his hand perfectly to keep the ball from crossing the line, denying South Korea an equalizer.The 87th-minute save by the goalkeeper, who is from the Guadalajara region and plays for local club Chivas, sealed a 1-0 win and a first-place finish for Mexico in Group A. El Tri became the first team to advance from the group stage.“It was very quick, it was pure reaction,” Rangel said. “I couldn’t really tell you what I saw, because I remember the moment of impact with my teammate and me having the ball. But I think I was really focused, I came through when team needed me, and I’m happy about that.”The 26-year-old Rangel came up big twice in the decisive play.
He stopped Yang Hyun-jun’s attempt with his extended arm immediately after he saved a close-range header by Cho Gue-sung. The ball ricocheted up as Rangel collided with a teammate going to the ground, but he was able to block Yang’s strike on the rebound.
1 MIN READ
3 MIN READ
6 MIN READ
