Narrow 1-0 Defeat to Host Mexico, But Still Second in Group

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The national football team put on a competitive performance in their second match against host nation Mexico but unfortunately fell 1-0. While they maintain second place in the group, their advancement to the Round of 32 now depends on the result of the third match.

Reporter Pyeon Gwanghyeon reports from the scene.

[Reporter]

A small group of Red Devils,

[South Korea!]

And an overwhelming majority of Mexican fans.

[Mexico! Mexico!]

Amidst the mix of local fans cheering for both teams,

[Brothers! Brothers!]

The national team stood toe-to-toe against the home team, Mexico, which is ranked 11 spots higher than us in the FIFA rankings.

In the 16th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in sent a through ball into the space behind the defense. Captain Son Heung-min received the pass and attempted a chip shot over the goalkeeper. Although it was blocked by a defender and ruled offside—meaning it was not recorded as an official shot—it certainly gave the opposition a scare.

However, a regrettable mistake occurred in the 5th minute of the second half.

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Ki-hyuk while attempting to catch an aerial ball, causing him to drop it. Mexico's Luis Romo easily tapped the ball into the net.

The national team launched an all-out offensive afterward, bringing in Oh Hyeon-gyu, Hwang Hee-chan, and even Cho Gue-sung, but they could not find the back of the net.

The most heartbreaking moments came in the 42nd minute of the second half, when Cho Gue-sung’s decisive header and Yang Hyun-jun’s follow-up left-footed shot were both denied by the goalkeeper’s saves.

Ultimately, with a 1-0 loss, the national team suffered their third consecutive defeat against Mexico in World Cup history. With a record of one win and one loss, they remain second in the group behind Mexico, who has two wins, but they have not yet secured their spot in the Round of 32.

[Hong Myung-bo / National Football Team Head Coach: I think the result is very disappointing, but there is no need to hang our heads. We have one match left, and we will prepare well for it.]

Stymied once again by the "second-match jinx," the national team will travel to Monterrey in two days to prepare for their final group stage match against South Africa.

(Video coverage: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Park Ji-in)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.