Co-host Mexico was the primary group to achieve the knockout rounds of the World Cup. After a critical goalkeeping mistake, “El Tri” scored 1-0 (0-0) towards South Korea in Zapopan and was declared the winner of Group A early. Luis Romo scored the one objective of the sport (fiftieth minute), however in the long run Mexico needed to fear about victory.
For Minjae Kim & Co it comes all the way down to the final match day
This additionally means: Mexico, which already used the house benefit on the house World Cup in 1970 and 1986 and made it to the quarter-finals in every case, will play its spherical of 16 within the legendary Aztec Stadium. And if the Mexicans win that too, they’d additionally play the spherical of 16 sport within the soccer temple.
The South Koreans round Bayern skilled Minjae Kim stay second within the group with three factors. Behind them are the Czech Republic, Mexico’s final group opponent, and South Africa, with one level every South Korea nonetheless need to play.
Followers break by way of fences
There was already a state of emergency in soccer in Mexico earlier than kick-off – the obstacles have been even damaged on the fan competition in Guadalajara. After the 2-0 opener within the Aztec Stadium, the football-crazy nation was longing for the subsequent celebration. Nonetheless, the sport was not for soccer lovers.
(Virtually) every thing is tight on the again, no concepts on the entrance
The South Koreans performed extraordinarily disciplined and got here dangerously near the Mexican objective within the sixteenth minute. Captain Edson Álvarez artistically cleared a lob from South Korea’s famous person Heung-Min Son with an overhead kick in entrance of the objective line. Afterwards, nevertheless, the offside whistle additionally sounded.
Loud whistles at break
A couple of minutes later, the Mexicans had their first and solely huge probability within the first half: Julián Quiñones, the primary goalscorer of this World Cup, was denied with a header by keeper Seung-gyu Kim. Each side defended effectively, however there have been no sensible concepts on the offensive. Heung-Min Son had one other probability, however the former Bundesliga skilled could not put the ball within the objective. The stroll into the cabin was accompanied by loud whistles.
The Mexicans clearly took that to coronary heart. First, defender Jesus Gallardo failed on the aspect netting. South Korea’s goalkeeper actively helped with the objective that shook the stadium. Dashing out of the objective, he jumped on teammate Ki-hyuk Lee and let the ball slip out of his palms. The goalkeeper did higher within the seventy fifth minute when he cleared previous Raúl Jiménez from a brief angle. With nice reflexes, keeper Raúl Rangel saved the group from having their temper dampened within the ultimate minutes of the sport.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:260619-930-247114/1