Last Updated on 19/06/2026 by TinHN Editor
Update live match Mexico vs South Korea at World Cup 2026: Mexico win 1-0. Watch Mexico vs South Korea Highlights here.
Final result: Mexico 1-0 South Korea. Mexico is leading Group A and has secured a spot in the Round of 16. Two wins from two matches and a pair of clean sheets, Mexico have started their home World Cup just as they would have hoped.
Mexico vs South Korea Highlights
Live Match Scores, Lineups, Results
- Full-time: Mexico 1-0 South Korea.
- 87 mins: Korea missed! The ball is swung over from the left, and looks destined to be nodded in by Cho. He heads too close to Rangel, who does magnificently to stand his ground and repel the ball with his boot. Then, with bodies tumbling to the turf, Cho flicks out a boot to deflect the ball back on target only for Rangel to be alert to it in a prone position.
- 80th mins: Korea have still not had a shot on target. They struggle to break down this Mexican side at this World Cup.
- 70th mins: Two subs at the final drinks break for both teams. Mexico freshen up their midfield with Orbelin Pineda and Obed Vargas replacing Gutierrez and Romo. For Korea it’s the two wingbacks who are swapped out for Eom Ji-sung and Yang Hyun-jun.
- 66th mins: Mexico is doing exactly what is required—staying calm and avoiding unnecessary risks. They appear content to slow the tempo and protect their lead.
- 57th mins: South Korea makes an interesting set of substitutions. Hwang Hee-chan and Oh Hyeon-gyu come on, while Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung leave the pitch. While fatigue may be a factor, this is a clear sign that Son’s influence on the South Korean team is waning.
- 50th mins – Mexico opens the scoring:
Quinones delivers a fine cross from the left; the ball curls inward, prompting Jimenez to head it high into the air. Kim Seung-gyu rushes out and catches the ball cleanly, but his momentum causes him to lose his footing and fall onto Lee Gi-hyuk. The ball spills from his grasp, and Luis Romo pounces on the gift, easily finishing into an empty net. - End of the first half: Both teams have displayed passion and desire, yet neither has been willing to abandon a calculated approach in their bid to advance from the group stage.
- The Guardian acknowledges the cautious play given the situation in Group A but notes that it shows a lack of respect for the home fans. South Korea, for its part, shows no inclination to pick up the pace. “The match intensity is as sluggish as a guided meditation broadcast,” the article observes.
- A draw would still be enough for both South Korea and Mexico to look ahead to the Round of 16, following the earlier 1-1 stalemate between the Czech Republic and South Africa. Safety is prioritized over risk-taking; both sides are biding their time and probing for openings.
- After a brief spell of spirited attacking, Mexico has dropped deep, allowing South Korea to string together possession-based plays. They circulate the ball across the pitch—shifting wide, dropping back, and pushing forward in a repetitive cycle—without rushing to play vertical passes. The audience, initially offering only mild boos, began to grow impatient.
Mexico vs South Korea: Match Details
| Date & Time | Thursday, June 18, 2026 – 9:00 PM ET (Friday June 19, 01:00 GMT) |
| Venue | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Group | Group A – Matchday 2 |
| TV (USA) | Fox Sports, FS1 |
Why Mexico vs South Korea Is the Biggest Match of Matchday 2
Group A is shaping up to be one of the most compelling at the tournament. After both Mexico and South Korea recorded wins in Matchday 1, this clash carries enormous weight.
Mexico opened their World Cup campaign in front of 80,000 fans at the Estadio Azteca, beating South Africa 2-0. Julián Quiñones scored inside eight minutes, before Raúl Jiménez added a clinical finish in the 66th minute. It was the first time in Mexican football history that El Tri won a World Cup opening match. One concern: defender César Montes received a straight red card in stoppage time and will serve a suspension tonight.
South Korea delivered a memorable comeback victory against Czechia. Trailing 0-1 in the 58th minute, Hwang In-Beom equalized and then assisted Oh Hyeon-Gyu’s dramatic 79th-minute winner. Coach Hong Myung-Bo’s side have won three consecutive matches and arrive in Guadalajara full of confidence.
The winner of Mexico vs South Korea will be well on their way to the Round of 32. The loser faces a must-win Matchday 3.
Lineups: Mexico vs South Korea
Mexico – Predicted XI (4-3-3)
GK: Raúl Rangel
Defense: Jesús Gallardo – Johan Vásquez – Edson Álvarez – Israel Reyes
Midfield: Érik Lira – Álvaro Fidalgo – Roberto Alvarado
Attack: Julián Quiñones – Raúl Jiménez – Brian Gutiérrez
Coach Javier Aguirre must reshuffle his center-back pairing without the suspended César Montes. Edson Álvarez is expected to drop into defense alongside Johan Vásquez. Quiñones is a doubt after requesting substitution in Matchday 1 with a muscle issue — his fitness is the biggest unknown heading into this Mexico vs South Korea clash.
South Korea – Predicted XI (3-4-2-1)
GK: Kim Seung-Gyu
Defense: Lee Gi-Hyuk – Kim Min-Jae – Lee Han-Beom
Midfield: Lee Tae-Seok – Hwang In-Beom – Paik Seung-Ho – Seol Young-Woo
Attack: Lee Jae-Sung – Lee Kang-In – Son Heung-Min
Hong Myung-Bo is expected to name the same starting eleven that beat Czechia. The only doubt is Kim Tae-Hyeon (ankle injury), who has returned to training but may not be fit to start. Hwang In-Beom — one goal and one assist in Matchday 1 — remains the engine of the midfield.
Tactical Analysis: Mexico vs South Korea
Mexico’s Advantage: Home Crowd and Altitude
Estadio Akron sits at over 1,500 meters above sea level — not as high as the Azteca, but enough to affect an opposition side that hasn’t trained at altitude. Mexico has been based in Guadalajara throughout the tournament’s preparation phase.
Aguirre’s 4-3-3 is built on high-energy pressing and quick transition. Jiménez is the focal point — an experienced target striker who links play brilliantly for the wide forwards. If Mexico can dictate tempo early, they will be difficult to stop on home soil.
South Korea’s Gameplan: Defensive Discipline and Counter-Attack
In possession, South Korea’s 3-4-2-1 relies on Lee Kang-In and Lee Jae-Sung to find Son Heung-Min in behind with quick vertical passes. Out of possession, both wing-backs drop to form a five-man defensive line — compact, organized, and hard to break down.
Kim Min-Jae anchors the back three. The Napoli and Bayern Munich center-back is among the best defenders at this tournament and will be tested against Jiménez and Mexico’s pressing game.
The key to this Mexico vs South Korea match: can Mexico break down a five-man block? And can South Korea absorb the altitude pressure across 90 minutes before finding their moment?
Mexico vs South Korea Head-to-Head at the World Cup
The two sides have met twice at the World Cup, with Mexico winning both:
- 1998 (France): Mexico 3–1 South Korea
- 2018 (Russia): Mexico 2–1 South Korea (goals from Carlos Vela and Javier Hernández)
South Korea have never beaten Mexico at a World Cup. Tonight is their best chance to change that.
Group A Standings Before Matchday 2
| Team | Pts | GD | Next matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 6 | +3 | Czechia |
| South Korea | 3 | 0 | South Africa |
| Czechia | 1 | −1 | Mexico |
| South Africa | 1 | −2 | South Korea |
See the full World Cup 2026 Group A standings and complete fixture schedule.
This article will be updated with confirmed lineups before kick-off and a full match result post. For more World Cup 2026 coverage, follow tinhn.com/en.