06/18/26 10:07:00
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06/18 22:06 CDT Mexico becomes first country to reach knockout stage of World
Cup, beating South Korea 1-0
Mexico becomes first country to reach knockout stage of World Cup, beating
South Korea 1-0
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) --- Mexico took advantage of a defensive blunder by
South Korea to win 1-0 and become the first team to advance to the knockout
stage of the World Cup on Thursday.
It marks a major triumph for a team that failed to get out of the group stage
in 2022 and now has won twice on home soil in front of jubilant crowds.
Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu
collided with defender Lee Gi-hyuk and dropped the ball inside the area. Romo
easily found the open net after picking up the loose ball.
The South Koreans nearly equalized in the 87th minute when Mexico goalkeeper
Ral 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.
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.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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