Kim error sinks South Korea as Mexico advance, South Africa decider awaits

Mexico 1–0 South Korea, everything now rests on South Africa

A goalkeeping error and one Luis Romo goal. That was the difference. Mexico 1–0 South Korea on Friday, and Mexico are through to the knockout stage as the first team to qualify (1) (6) (8). Your team must now beat South Africa on June 24.

Kim Seung-gyu spilled a shot, and Romo punished it (4) (6). Raúl Rangel, the Mexican keeper, was outstanding at the other end, the German press called it "pure reaction" (7). Heung-Min Son had chances but could not beat him.

Mexico topped Group A with the win. South Korea sit second but cannot afford another slip.

The path is clear: beat South Africa

Group A after two rounds: Mexico are through. Czech Republic 1–1 South Africa means your team controls its own fate (1) (5). Win against South Africa on June 24, and South Korea join Mexico in the last 32. Anything less, and it gets complicated fast.

The Czech result helps. South Africa are beatable. But the margin for error is gone.

Müller: Kim Min-Jae is a different defender for South Korea

Thomas Müller has watched Kim Min-Jae closely at Bayern Munich, and he sees two different players. For South Korea, Kim organizes the back line and leads vocally. In Munich, that authority disappears.

"Er hat da dieses Vertrauen, er ist die absolute Nummer eins in Südkorea, er ist dort ein Star," Müller said, Kim has that trust, he is the undisputed number one in South Korea, he is a star there. That gives him the license to lead (2).

At Bayern, Müller sees a more reserved figure. He wants his centre-back barking orders, pushing the offside line, screaming "Raus, raus, raus!", and he has not seen it (2). Kim is a potential summer departure from Bayern, and this analysis lands at an interesting moment.

Canada run riot, Koné worry

Canada 6–0 Qatar in the other early Group A match (1) (10). The scoreline was emphatic, but Ismael Koné going off injured overshadowed it (10).

Switzerland cruise past Bosnia

Switzerland 4–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina in Wednesday's late match (1).

Fan reactions

Mexico City erupted. Reports of 400,000 fans at the Ángel de la Independencia, another 100,000 at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, all celebrating the goal that knocked your team down (1) (2) (3). Heavy rain at the Zócalo fan festival did not stop the party (5). Even Guadalajara joined in when Romo scored (4). Painful viewing for South Korea supporters, but the energy around this Mexico side is genuine.

Watch the celebrations in Mexico City