Romo’s goal sends Mexico into the World Cup knockouts as the first team through
A goalkeeping mix-up gifted Luis Romo the only goal in Guadalajara, and the 1-0 win over South Korea made Mexico the first side to reach the round of 32.
Jun 19, 2026
Mexico are through. A 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara on June 18 took the co-hosts to six points from two games and made them the first team to reach the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
The only goal arrived five minutes into the second half, and South Korea will replay it in their heads for a while. Raul Jimenez rose to meet a cross from Julian Quinones, his header was blocked up into the air, and goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu went to gather the loose ball only to collide with his own defender, Lee Gi-hyuk. The ball dropped invitingly in front of goal, and Luis Romo arrived to volley it into an empty net.
A scrappy goal, then a lead to protect
It was not a goal anyone will frame, and Mexico did not care. They had shaded a tight, cagey game and finally had something to show for the territory. Son Heung-min’s South Korea went looking for an equaliser in the closing stages and came close to finding one, only for Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel to deny them with a smart double save that kept the sheet clean.
That late stop mattered more than it looked at the time. The clean sheet protected a win that carried Mexico into the knockout rounds with a group game still to spare.
First through, and top of Group A
Mexico’s qualification was sealed by the win and by what happened earlier in the day, when Czechia and South Africa drew 1-1 in Atlanta. That result left both sides too far back to catch the leaders, and beating South Korea then put the matter beyond any doubt. Mexico finish top of Group A whatever happens on the final matchday, and as group winners they will face a third-placed team in the round of 32.
It rounds off a clean start for a side that opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, a game remembered as much for its three red cards as its football. South Korea, beaten for the first time after their opening win over Czechia, stay on three points and remain well placed to follow Mexico into the last 32.