Korea lose to Mexico 1-0 but remain on track to make round of 32
The Taeguk Warriors lost to a 50th-minute effort by Luis Romo after a fumble in the penalty box, slightly complicating the route to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Korean national team footballers walk off the pitch after losing 1-0 in their Group A match against Mexico at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Guadalajara, Mexico, June 18.XINHUA/YONHAP
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Korea suffered a 1-0 defeat to host nation Mexico in their second group-stage match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday.
The lone goal came five minutes into the second half after Korea made a defensive error during the Group A match at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. As if facing the odds-on favorites to top the group wasn't enough, the Warriors also had to contend with explosive home-field advantage, with noise levels at the stadium reportedly peaking at 149 decibels, roughly equivalent to a fighter jet taking off.
The result left Korea with three points from one win and one loss, remaining in second in the group behind Mexico, now on six points with two victories.
As they had in the opening 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic, Korea lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC leading the attack. Defender Seol Young-woo of FK Crvena Zvezda, who had operated on the right flank against the Czechs, was shifted to the left, while Kim Moon-hwan of Daejeon Hana Citizen got his first nod of the tournament, taking over on the right. The adjustment was intended to counter Mexico’s pace on the wings.
The first half was relatively subdued, with Mexico logging the only shot on goal in the first 45 minutes.
Korea were under the cosh from kickoff in the second half, with the co-hosts breaking the deadlock five minutes after the restart on a defensive error.
Korea's Cho Gue-sung and Oh Hyeon-gyu go up for a header with Mexico's Obed Vargas during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and Korea in Mexico on June 18.AP/YONHAP
A cross from Mexico's left flank by Julián Quiñones was headed straight up by center back Lee Gi-hyuk. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu came out to catch the ball, but collided with Lee and spilled it at the feet of Luis Romo, who buried it in the empty net.
After falling behind, manager Hong Myung-bo turned to his bench in search of an equalizer. He replaced Son with Oh Hyeon-gyu in the 57th minute and later added Hwang Hee-chan, Yang Hyun-jun, Eom Ji-sung and Cho Gue-sung, packing the attack with footballers who ply their trade in Europe.
Despite some great chances, Korea were unable to convert and Mexico's single-goal lead held to the final whistle.
The night for Korea's captain and talisman ended once again without the goal that would lift him above Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan in World Cup goals scored. If so, Son would become Korea’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup, breaking a three-way tie at three goals.
Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rangel makes a save on the goal line during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 18.AP/YONHAP
The result also extended Korea’s winless streak against Mexico at the World Cup.
The 1998 World Cup face-off ended 3-1 for the Latin American side, while another match in the 2018 tournament ended with a 2-1 win for Mexico. Korea’s all-time head-to-head record against this year's co-hosts has now widened to four wins, three draws and nine losses.
With the win, Mexico sealed a berth in the round of 32 with two wins, while the Czech Republic and South Africa played to a 1-1 draw to sit at a point apiece. Korea, while dropping points on Thursday, are still well-positioned to advance, with a range of outcomes still breaking the Warriors' way.
Korean footballers become entangled in a goalmouth scramble during a match against co-host Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Mexico on June 18.KANG JUNG-HYUN
The defeat also extended Korea’s World Cup jinx — never winning a second group-stage match.
Since making its World Cup debut at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, Korea has racked up 12 appearances but has never won its second group-stage match, posting a record of four draws and eight losses.
It earned draws against the United States at the 2002 World Cup on home soil and against France at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The recent loss marked Korea's fifth consecutive defeat in a second group-stage match dating back to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
