The biggest team news of the day arrived before kickoff: Guillermo Ochoa, 40 years old and playing in his sixth World Cup, was left on the bench. Javier Aguirre opted for Raúl Rangel in goal instead, citing his sharper domestic-season form and mobility. Ochoa never came on. For a player widely expected to retire after this tournament, it was a quiet, almost anonymous way to watch a World Cup match — from the bench, in his own country.
It very nearly didn't matter who was in goal for Mexico, because for long stretches South Korea were the better side. Korea controlled large portions of the game, especially in the approach to half-time, probing patiently without ever quite finding the finish their play deserved.
The only goal of the game came from a mistake, not a masterpiece. Five minutes into the second half, Kim Seung-gyu misjudged something routine in the South Korea goal, and Luis Romo made him pay, slotting home the gift to put Mexico 1-0 up. From there, Rangel — the goalkeeper nobody was talking about beforehand — produced a genuinely brilliant double save to deny South Korea's equalizer and protect a lead his side hadn't entirely earned on the balance of play.
The result means Mexico become the first team at World Cup 2026 to confirm their place in the Round of 32 — after just two matches. El Tri sit top of Group A on six points from two wins, with two goals scored, none conceded, and a knockout berth locked up before some teams have even finished their first match. South Korea, meanwhile, drop to third in a group suddenly defined by Mexico's complete dominance.
A legend of Mexican football, left out of the biggest possible stage in his own country. Whatever happens next, this decision will be talked about for a long time.
South Korea had the better spells of play for long stretches. Mexico still walk away with maximum points and a knockout spot. That's a dangerous team to be — winning World Cup matches you don't fully deserve to win.
Predicted Mexico 1-1, with Giménez converting a penalty, Son scoring on the counter, and Ochoa needed for three big saves. Got Mexico 1-0 via a Romo finish off a Kim Seung-gyu error, no Son goal, and Ochoa not even on the field — Rangel was the one making the big saves instead.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 🇨🇿 Czechia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
Mexico through to the Round of 32 with a game still to play. South Korea need results to stay in control of second place.