Romo, Rangel lead Mexico past Korea Republic and clinch Knockout Round berth

Mexico clinched top spot in Group A and secured a place in Round of 32.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued as Mexico earned a 1-nil victory against Korea Republic in Group A on Thursday at Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

The result keeps Mexico atop Group A and secures a berth to the Round of 32 for Javier Aguirre’s squad.

Captain Edson Alvarez stepped in to help the back four in the absence of Cesar Montes, who received a red card suspension in Mexico’s opening match against South Africa.

Alvarez was outstanding early, with a clearance near the goal line in the 15’ to deny Korea Republic.

Luis Romo found the net for Mexico in the 50’ after taking advantage of a loose ball from the goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu.

Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel was a key late in the match for the home side, providing back-to-back saves in the 87’ to maintain the clean sheet, and all but seal the full three points.

Mexico will conclude group play on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 PM ET (7:00 PM local), against Czechia at Mexico City Stadium.

Mexico vs Korea Republic Post-Match Facts

• This was the 19th FIFA World Cup match played in Guadalajara, and every one of those matches has produced at least one goal. Guadalajara now holds the record for the most FIFA World Cup matches hosted by a city without ever witnessing a 0-0 draw, surpassing Montevideo (18).
• For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, Mexico became the first team chronologically to secure qualification for the knockout stage. El Tri have now advanced from the group stage in eight of their last nine World Cup appearances, with their only elimination in that span coming in 2022.
• Raúl Rangel became just the second Mexican goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in each of his first two FIFA World Cup appearances, joining Guillermo Ochoa, who achieved the feat in 2014.
• Javier Aguirre became the first head coach from a Concacaf nation to manage 10 FIFA World Cup matches. His total includes four matches in 2002, four in 2010, and two so far in 2026. Aguirre had already become the Concacaf coach with the most FIFA World Cup matches managed when he surpassed Bruce Arena’s previous record of eight against South Africa.
• Luis Romo’s goal was the 13th FIFA World Cup goal scored by a Guadalajara (Chivas) player. Nine of those 13 goals have been scored in the second half of matches (69.2%).
• At 31 years and 13 days old, Luis Romo became the second-oldest Mexican player to score on his FIFA World Cup debut. The only player older to do so was Ricardo Peláez, who scored against Korea Republic in 1998 at 35 years and 91 days.