GUADALAJARA: Co-hosts Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea at a gritty Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.
Luis Romo’s goal just after the break put Mexico through as Group A winners with a game to spare, following a goalkeeper’s whistle.
In contrast, Mexico stopper Raul Rangel produced an excellent double save in the dying minutes to preserve their lead.
Finishing on top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico City.
South Korea are second on three points, while the Czech Republic and South Africa are also still alive on one.
Both teams went into the clash in front of a passionate home crowd knowing that victory would guarantee progress in double-quick time.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made three changes from the team that beat South Africa 2-0 a week ago to open the tournament.
His counterpart Hong Myung-bo made just one change and largely kept faith with the team that fought back to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.
South Korea captain Son Heung-min got the first sniff of goal after 15 minutes, slotting the ball over Rangel only for Edson Alvarez to stop it going in with a bicycle kick on the line.
Los Angeles FC striker Son was belatedly flagged for offside, although replays suggested it was a close call.
Julian Quinones, who scored the tournament’s opening goal, then forced South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu into a fine save from a header, raising the decibels.
The rest of an uneventful half belonged to South Korea as they passed the ball around at will without ever creating a clear-cut chance, but they managed to silence the home support.
The jeers rang out during the break from the Mexico fans.
The hosts started the second period with far more intent and five minutes in they went in front when goalkeeper Kim got onto a high ball and clattered into his own player and spilled it straight to Romo.
He just had to poke the ball into an unguarded net the first time, sparking pandemonium.
Hong surprisingly pulled off 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 face the Czech Republic in their final group game with a dead rubber, while South Korea play South Africa.
South Africa and the Czechs drew 1-1 earlier in the day.
