Mexico first into last 32 as Rangel shuts out South Korea

Mexico through to the last 32, first team to do it

Luis Romo scored early and José Rangel held the line. Mexico 1–0 South Korea in Monterrey, and your team are the first nation qualified for the round of 16 at this World Cup (1) (2) (3).

Romo's goal came in the ninth minute. After that it was Rangel's night. The goalkeeper was everywhere. "Goalkeepers had enormous weight in deciding the first team through," one Brazilian report put it (10). On the other side, Kim Seung-Gyu's error defined the match, Kicker called it one keeper patzing while the other shone (11).

Javier Aguirre set the target afterwards. "We were number 11, before we were 13 in the world. I want to be among the ten best in the world, that would be very beautiful for us" (6). Mexico top Group A with three wins, six goals scored, zero conceded. The goal difference is tidy (7).

Koné breaks his leg, Canada win overshadowed

Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg in Canada's 6–0 demolition of Qatar (4) (8) (9). Canada's first-ever World Cup win, and the mood was shattered. Eighteen players in that squad are following in their fathers' footsteps, one Dutch report noted, but the night belonged to Koné's injury (9).

The midfielder is a key player for Canada. No timeline yet on his recovery.

Fan reactions

The Estadio BBVA crowd stayed long after full time. Videos show the stands singing "El Rey" by Vicente Fernández, loud and in unison. There is something about a host nation crowd delivering that after a 1–0 win, confident, not relieved. Watch it here.