Co-hosts Mexico defeated South Korea 1-0 at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday, becoming the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
After a dreary first period, Luis Romo’s goal just after half-time, thanks to a goalkeeping error, put Mexico through as Group A winners with a match to go.
Mexico stopper Raul Rangel made a superb double save in the dying minutes to preserve their lead.
Finishing top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico City.
“It’s really difficult to deal with the emotions,” coach Javier Aguirre said of the challenges going into the game.
He reserved special praise for Rangel and the supporters in Guadalajara.
“His save was just amazing,” said Aguirre.
“It was quite a tactical match, and hard to digest for the fans, but they were outstanding.
“I would just like to say thank you to them, they’ve been fantastic ever since we got here.
“Mexico jerseys were everywhere, everywhere you turned it was green shirts,” he added.
South Korea are second on three points, with the Czech Republic and South Africa also still alive on one.
Hong Myung-bo’s side face South Africa next and are still in a good position to advance.
Aguirre made three changes from the side that beat South Africa 2-0 a week ago to open the tournament.
Hong made just one alteration for South Korea, largely keeping faith with the team that fought back to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.
Skipper Son Heung-min had the first sniff at goal after 15 minutes, looping the ball over Rangel only for Edson Alvarez to prevent it going in with a bicycle kick on the line.
Los Angeles FC attacker Son was belatedly flagged for offside although replays suggested it was a close call.
Julian Quinones, who scored the opening goal of the tournament, then forced South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu into a good save from a header, raising the decibels.
The rest of an uneventful half belonged to South Korea as they stroked the ball around at will, without ever creating a clear chance, but they did succeed in silencing the home support.
Jeers rang out at half-time from the Mexico fans.
The hosts started the second period with far more intent, and five minutes in they went ahead when the goalkeeper Kim came for a high ball and clattered into his own player, spilling it straight to Romo.
He just needed to poke the ball first time into an unguarded net, triggering pandemonium.
Hong surprisingly hauled off the veteran talisman Son before the hour and threw on Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But the Koreans were mostly toothless going forward until the final few minutes, when Guadalajara native Rangel came to Mexico’s rescue.
They will face the Czech Republic in their final group game.
South Africa and the Czechs drew 1-1 earlier in the day.
AFP
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