Mexico become first team to advance to World Cup knockout stage after beating South Korea 1-0

Co-hosts Mexico have become the first team to reach the knockout phase of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium.

Luis Romo's goal just after half-time on Thursday put Mexico through as Group A winners with a match to go following a goalkeeping error.

The South Koreans nearly equalised in the 87th minute when Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel stopped a header from close range by Cho Gue-sung, then made an even better save on the rebound, extending his right arm to keep the ball from crossing the line.

Mexico has six points from two Group A matches, three more than South Korea and five more than the Czech Republic and South Africa, who drew 1-1 earlier Thursday in Atlanta.

El Tri now have scored 3 goals so far in their two matches and conceded no goals.

The top two teams from each group move on to the knockout stage, along with the best eight third-place teams.

A round of 32 is being played for the first time at the World Cup after the tournament was expanded to 48 teams.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made three changes from the side that beat South Africa 2-0 a week ago to open the tournament.

His counterpart, Hong Myung-bo, made just one alteration, largely keeping faith with the team that fought back to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.

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Source: TRT