The match kicked off at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, at 10 a.m. Friday in Korea, or 9 p.m. Thursday local time.
South Korea started with Kim Seung-gyu in goal, with Lee Han-beom, Kim Min-jae, Kim Moon-hwan, Lee Gi-hyuk and Seol Young-woo across the defensive line.
Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho, Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kang-in started in midfield, with captain Son Heung-min leading the attack.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo made one change from the team that beat Czechia 2-1 in the opening match, bringing in Kim Moon-hwan for Lee Tae-seok while keeping the rest of the lineup intact.
Mexico started Raul Rangel in goal, with Jorge Sanchez, Edson Alvarez, Johan Vasquez and Jesus Gallardo in defense.
Luis Romo, Erik Lira, Brian Gutierrez and Roberto Alvarado started in midfield, with Raul Jimenez and Julian Quinones up front.
Mexico made three changes from their 2-0 win over South Africa. Alvarez dropped into central defense to replace suspended center back Cesar Montes, Jorge Sanchez came in at right back and Romo replaced Alvaro Fidalgo in midfield.
South Korea began the match with a high press, trying to unsettle Mexico’s buildup from the opening minutes.
But the early intensity quickly brought risk. Lee Kang-in was booked in the third minute after stepping on an opponent’s foot.
Mexico then grew into the match through physical pressure and a faster tempo, especially around South Korea’s central and right-sided buildup channels, where Hwang In-beom and Lee Kang-in were repeatedly closed down.
The home side’s pressure made it difficult for South Korea to play smoothly through midfield, forcing the Taegeuk Warriors to look more often for space behind Mexico’s back line.
South Korea nearly found that space in the 15th minute of the half, when Son lifted a ball toward goal that was cleared before crossing the line, though the offside flag went up.
Mexico responded around the 19th minute, when Quinones met a header inside the box, but Kim Seung-gyu made the save after South Korea’s defenders had done enough to prevent a cleaner effort.
South Korea continued to look for quick runs behind Mexico’s defense, with Lee Jae-sung flagged offside after making a sharp run in the 29th minute.
The first official South Korean shot came around the 40th minute, when a pass from Son was deflected into Seol Young-woo’s path, but the wingback mishit his effort.
Lee Jae-sung also tried to attack a cross near the end of the half, but the move broke down before South Korea could get a shot away.
Mexico had more physical control and pressed with greater force, but they also failed to turn their territorial pressure into a breakthrough.
With Czechia and South Africa drawing 1-1 earlier in Group A, South Korea would secure top spot with a win over Mexico, while a draw would keep them in control before the final group match against South Africa.
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