TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Mexico edged South Korea 1-0 in their second Group A match of the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on Friday, June 19. Luis Romo scored the decisive goal early in the second half to separate the two sides in a closely contested encounter.
Mexico tried to take the offensive initiative from the start. However, the best chances of the first half came back and forth between the two teams.
South Korea’s Son Heung-min threatened in the 16th minute, but the Mexican defense blocked his shot. Four minutes later, Julian Quinones had a chance with a header inside the penalty area, but goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim saved the ball. The score remained scoreless at halftime.
Five minutes into the second half, Seung-Gyu Kim’s fatal mistake allowed Luis Romo to slot the ball into an empty net to give Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute.
Luis Romo's goal attempt increased South Korea's attacking intensity. Coach Hong Myung-bo made several substitutions, including substituting Son Heung-min for Oh Hyeon-gyu in the 57th minute. South Korea struggled to create clear-cut chances despite intensive pressure. On the other hand, Mexico threatened to counterattack several times.
Raul Jimenez nearly scored a second goal in the 75th minute. However, his powerful shot from inside the penalty area was thwarted by a brilliant save from Seung-Gyu Kim. Obed Vargas took another chance in the 85th minute, but the South Korean goalkeeper saved his shot from outside the penalty area.
South Korea continued pressure until the final minutes. A South Korean header took a golden opportunity in the 88th minute, but goalkeeper Raul Rangel made a reflex save to preserve Mexico's lead. Shortly after, Hyun-Jun Yang also had a chance on a rebound, but his shot lacked power and was again saved by Rangel.
South Korea failed to level the score before full time, allowing Mexico to secure a place in the knockout stage while forcing the Koreans to fight for survival in their final group game.
Switzerland Crushes Bosnia 4-1
Meanwhile in Group B, Switzerland secured its first victory in the 2026 World Cup after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 at the Los Angeles Stadium in the United States on Friday, June 19. This result brought Switzerland to the top of the standings with four points from two matches, while Bosnia slumped to the bottom with one point.
Switzerland dominated the match from the start but struggled to break down Bosnia's disciplined defense. Dan Ndoye had two chances in the first half but failed to convert them. Bosnia also threatened through Amar Dedic before halftime, but the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
Into the second half, Switzerland continued to increase the pressure. Breel Embolo almost broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, but goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj thwarted his effort. Switzerland finally scored the first goal in the 74th minute. Johan Manzambi, who had come on as a substitute just three minutes earlier, met a cross from the left to put Switzerland up 1-0.
Tarik Muharemovic’s red card for a foul on Embolo put Bosnia in a difficult situation. With a numerical advantage, Switzerland added another goal through Ruben Vargas in the 84th minute and Manzambi's second in the 90th. Bosnia briefly reduced the deficit through Ermin Mahmic's long-range shot in the 90+3 minute. However, Switzerland capped the scoring with a Granit Xhaka penalty in the 90+7 minute to secure a 4-1 victory.
Arkhelaus Wisnu Triyogo contributed to this article
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