Mexico vs. South Korea saw two nations pitted against each other with arguably one of the oddest fan interactions in the World Cup this year.
It’s no secret Mexican and South Korean fans have grown fond of each other following South Korea’s stunning victory over Germany in the 2018 World Cup.
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That win would see Mexico advance to the knockout round in the place of the Germans, forming a bond between the two nations in a somewhat odd but heartwarming way.
So, when it was announced that Mexico and South Korea would share a group, many fans on either side did not wish to play against their newfound friends.
But the matchup did not disappoint, with both sides looking to come out of this one with three points.
The long-awaited matchup between Mexico and South Korea got off to a quiet start.
In the 16th minute, Mexican hearts would climb into throats on an Edson Álvarez clearance.
Moments later the flag would go up, nullifying any goal had there been one, but regardless, a scary moment early for Mexico.
But in the 20th minute, Julián Quiñones would come inches away from putting Mexico ahead early.
The first half would come to a close with neither side being able to notch a goal onto the board.
The second half saw early excitement courtesy of a massive mistake by Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu.
In the 50th minute, Seung-Gyu would attempt to recover a loose ball in the air.
But unfortunately for the Korean goalkeeper, he was not able to control it on the way down.
The ball would squirt free from Seung-Gyu’s grasp, where Luis Romo would drive the ball into the empty net, putting Mexico ahead 1-0.
The game would remain 1-0 for 25 minutes.
In the 75th, Raúl Jiménez would take a shot from close range.
But Seung-Gyu would knock the attempt away, keeping the deficit at one.
More action would come Seung-Gyu’s way in the 85th.
Obed Vargas would light up a strike 28 yards out, but Seung-Gyu would use all of his 6-foot-2 frame to make the save.
A moment later, on the other end, Korea’s Cho Gue-Sung seemingly equalized with a late goal.
But some way, somehow, Mexican goalkeeper Raúl Rangel would keep the ball out and keep Mexico ahead.
And that’s where the score would stand as Mexico took a 1-0 win over South Korea, securing first place in Group-A and their spot in the round of 32.
South Korea and Mexico will both play their final group stage matches at 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
South Korea will look to snare three points and the secure their second-place position in Group-A against South Africa.
Mexico on the other hand will try for a clean sweep, facing Czechia.
Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official
