South Korea's national soccer team suffered a critical defeat against Mexico, losing 1-0 in their second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup.
Under the guidance of head coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea faced Mexico at Guadalajara Stadium on June 19 (Korea time). With this loss, South Korea's record stands at one win and one loss (3 points, goal difference 0), keeping them in second place in their group. Meanwhile, Mexico, with two consecutive wins (6 points, goal difference +3), has secured the top spot in the group and a place in the knockout stage, regardless of the outcome of their final match. Earlier, the Czech Republic and South Africa drew 1-1 in the same group, eliminating South Korea's chances of finishing first.
South Korea employed a 3-4-2-1 formation, making only one change from their previous lineup against the Czech Republic, where they won 2-1. Son Heung-min (LAFC) led the attack, supported by Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain). The midfield featured Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) and Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), while wing-backs were Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda) and Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen). The three-man defense included Lee Gi-hyeok (Gangwon FC), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), with Kim Seung-kyu (FC Tokyo) in goal.
The first half ended in a stalemate at 0-0. However, South Korea's lack of focus early in the second half proved costly. In the fifth minute of the second half, goalkeeper Kim Seung-kyu collided with defender Lee Gi-hyeok while attempting to handle a high ball, losing possession. The loose ball fell to Luis Romo, who capitalized on the mistake to score.
After conceding the first goal, Coach Hong made aggressive substitutions in the 57th minute, bringing on Oh Hyun-kyu (Beşiktaş) and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung. He followed this by replacing wing-backs Kim Moon-hwan and Seol Young-woo with attacking players Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic) and Um Ji-sung (Swansea City) in the 71st minute. In the 77th minute, he substituted midfielder Baek Seung-ho for forward Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland) in a bid to increase offensive pressure.
In the 87th minute, South Korea had a golden opportunity to equalize. A cross from Um Ji-sung led to a header from Cho Gue-sung, followed by a close attempt from Oh Hyun-kyu, but both efforts were thwarted by Mexico's goalkeeper Raul Langel.
Despite continued pressure, South Korea could not find the back of the net, concluding the match with a 1-0 defeat.
This loss extends South Korea's winless streak against Mexico in World Cup matches, having never won against them since their first encounter in 1998 (1-3 loss) and again in 2018 (1-2 loss). Additionally, South Korea remains unable to win their second group stage match in World Cup history, now with four draws and eight losses.
South Korea will face South Africa in their final group stage match on June 25 at 10 a.m. at Estadio Monterrey. A draw in this match would secure at least second place in the group, allowing them to advance to the knockout stage.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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