Co-hosts Mexico have become the first team to reach the knockout phase of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium.
Luis Romo’s goal just after half-time on Thursday put Mexico through as Group A winners with a match to go following a goalkeeping error.
The South Koreans nearly equalised in the 87th minute when Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel stopped a header from close range by Cho Gue-sung, then made an even better save on the rebound, extending his right arm to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Mexico has six points from two Group A matches, three more than South Korea and five more than the Czech Republic and South Africa, who drew 1-1 earlier Thursday in Atlanta.
El Tri now have scored 3 goals so far in their two matches and conceded no goals.
The top two teams from each group move on to the knockout stage, along with the best eight third-place teams.
