Mexico beats South Korea to top World Cup group, secure home advantage

Mexico secured their place in the World Cup knockout stage as Group A winners, earning a 1-0 victory over South Korea thanks to Luis Romo's second-half strike. The win guarantees Mexico home advantage for their Round of 32 tie on June 30 in Mexico City, making them the first team to advance. Romo capitalized on a mistake by South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu just three minutes after halftime, tapping the ball into an empty net. The goal ignited the home crowd in Guadalajara Stadium, which had booed the team off at halftime after an uninspired first half. Mexico had started brightly but struggled to create clear chances, while South Korea finished the half stronger. Despite the late pressure from South Korea, who pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, Mexico's defense held firm. Goalkeeper Raul Rangel made a crucial double save in the final moments to preserve the lead. The victory marked Mexico's second consecutive win in the group stage and their first World Cup group-stage win on home soil outside of Mexico City.

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It was a very close game; we didn’t give up a single centimetre and fought for every ball as if it were our last. It was a game where whoever ⁠made a mistake would lose, and it was them... It was a game to forget, but the result is one to remember.