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LOS ANGELES: Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout round of the World Cup on Thursday after a 1-0 victory over South Korea while Canada edged closer to the last 32 after thrashing Qatar 6-0.
A howler from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu gifted a goal to Mexico’s Luis Romo and proved decisive as ‘El Tri’ hung on to win a tense battle in Guadalajara.
The goal was greeted with relief as much as celebration after a first half in which Mexico struggled to turn possession into clear chances and Romo acknowledged the struggles.
“I don’t think we played a perfect game, but we won and that’s the most important thing the fans will be happy,” he told Mexican TV.
The hosts started brightly at Guadalajara Stadium, but South Korea grew into the game and sections of the home crowd booed the Mexican players at halftime.
Mexico played with greater authority once ahead, with Raul Jimenez nearly adding a second from close range and substitute Obed Vargas forcing Kim into a sharp low save from distance.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre acknowledged the performance had been short of fluency, while pointing to South Korea’s organisation.
“It wasn’t a great match, but the opposition didn’t let us do much either,” he said.
The victory means Mexico are guaranteed to finish in top spot in Group A with a game to spare. Finishing top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico City.
Aguirre played down his team’s achievement of topping a World Cup group for the first time since 2002, saying the real measure of success would come later in the tournament.
“I didn’t know that statistic,” Aguirre, who is coaching Mexico at a third World Cup, told reporters. “It’s anecdotal. It was anecdotal in 2002 and it’s anecdotal now because what matters in the end is the final position.”
South Korea are second on three points, with the Czech Republic and South Africa also still alive on one.
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said his players must not dwell on their defeat.
“The goal we conceded was regrettable, but there is no need to hang our heads,” Hong told reporters. “The result is disappointing, but I believe the players executed the plans we prepared for this game well.”
Hong said South Korea had expected Mexico to press aggressively from the start and had focused on surviving the early stages without conceding.
“It was crucial not to concede until the 20th minute of the first half, and the players held on well,” he added.
“After that, the game’s rhythm shifted to our side, and we were able to lead in both pressing and game management.”
Hong declined to blame Kim directly for the goal, saying he had yet to review the collision that led to the mistake.
“There was pushing between players in that scene, and I think a mistake occurred in that process,” he said.
INJURY HORROR
In other games on Thursday, Canada moved to the brink of the last 32 after overwhelming nine-man Qatar to secure their first ever World Cup victory in Group ‘B’.
Tournament co-hosts Canada had lost all six of their previous matches at the World Cup, at the 1986 and 2022 finals, but brought that run of losses to a halt in spectacular fashion at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.
With Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — wearing a replica Canada shirt — among a fired-up crowd, Jesse Marsch’s side ran riot to secure a win that leaves them needing only a point against Switzerland to finish top of Group ‘B’.
A hat-trick from Juventus striker Jonathan David, one goal apiece from Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba, and a Mohammad Manai own goal sealed Canada’s win.
The victory was marred though by a serious left leg injury to midfielder Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off after being clumsily upended by Qatar’s Assim Madibo in the 51st minute.
Madibo was initially shown a yellow card for the challenge which was subsequently upgraded to red. The stricken Kone was given oxygen as he was carried off the field, waving to fans.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch revealed afterwards Kone was being treated in hospital for a suspected broken leg, adding that his staff had understood the severity of the injury immediately.
“It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap,” Marsch said. “I haven’t spoken to Ismael yet, but he’s at the hospital. He will prepare for a surgery.
“Everybody’s a little shaken by the whole experience because of the nature of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. It will be a big loss for us.”
NO EXCUSES
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui offered no excuses after the defeat. Qatar picked up their first World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opener but aggression and carelessness saw Qatar hit with two red cards.
“I have two options,” Lopetegui told a news conference.
“One is to start talking here about the referee or the things that happened, or I can put the focus on the only thing that is under my control, (which) is to recover my players, to tell them that they made a big effort, despite all the circumstances, and to be able to face in the best way possible the last group match.”
The 59-year-old Spaniard said that there was no ill intent behind Madibo’s tackle on Kone and that he wished the Canada midfielder all the best for his recovery, adding that he had to focus on their final group game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“When we drew against Switzerland, I was not in the sky, I was balanced. And today, too, I have to analyse the match to take the right decisions for the next match, to be able to recover the players as soon as possible,” Lopetegui said.
Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026
