UPDATE: World Cup 2026: Mexico secures first place in Group A and opens the list of qualifiers to the second round
World News Update:
International observers are closely monitoring the latest developments as new information continues to emerge.
The Mexican team defeated South Korea 1-0 on June 18 in a match on the second date of Group A of the 2026 World Cup played at the Guadalajara Stadium and became the first to qualify for the round of 32. Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute after an error by Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung Gyu, to decide a closely fought match with alternating dominance. Mexico pressed at the beginning without creating danger in the rival area until, after 10 minutes, the Koreans balanced the game, which began under a cloudless blue sky. Both frames were canceled in the middle of the field, where the main actions took place until in the 20th minute Julián Quiñones received a service and with a header came close to putting Mexico ahead, but Seung Gyu kept the ball, the only shot on goal in the first half. The Koreans with their ‘Dae han min guk’, the name of their country; The Mexicans with ‘Cielito Lindo’ and ‘Yes Se Can’ tried to liven up the duel, with possession of the ball for a while for each team. To display this content from X (Twitter), you must allow audience measurement and advertising cookies. Accept Manage my options After the hydration break, Korea took the ball away from Mexico, without creating danger in the goal defended by Raúl Rangel, until in the 45th minute Lee Kang Gin finished on goal. Mexico took the lead in the 50th minute. Raúl Jiménez shot on goal; Seung Gyu left the ball in the area in a blunder and Romo accepted the gift, knocked on the goal and made it 1-0. Korea went on the attack, the Mexican fans took up the ‘Cielito Lindo’ in a massive chorus, to which the Asians responded with their war cry. Raúl Rangel of Mexico stops a shot by Cho Gue-sung of South Korea to avoid the equalizer of the Asian team in the game that faced them in Group A of the 2026 World Cup. Guadalajara, June 18, 2026. REUTERS – Amanda Perobelli On the field, Korea sought the tie against a Mexican team organized at the back, which in the 75th minute created danger with a shot by Raúl Jiménez. In the 87th minute, goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was left with a ball headed by Cho Gue Sung and Korea let the tie go in a duel decided by an error. Mexico reached six points, three more than Korea, and five ahead of the Czech Republic and South Africa, who tied 1-1 today. Eom Ji-sung of South Korea reacts after his team’s defeat against Mexico in Guadalajara on June 18, 2026. REUTERS – Paul Childs In the closing of Group A, on June 24, Mexico will face the Czech Republic at the Mexico City Stadium, the mythical Azteca; and Korea will play South Africa in Monterrey.
Key Developments:
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Source: This article was originally published by France 24 – Noticias y actualidad internacional en vivo and adapted for our international English-speaking audience.
Read the original article here.