Kim howler gifts Mexico win, South Korea face decisive South Africa clash

Mexico 1–0 South Korea: a howler and a goal-line clearance

Luis Romo scored in the 49th minute, and that was enough. Mexico 1–0 South Korea in the Group A showdown on Friday, and Mexico became the first team to book a spot in the last 32 (1) (5) (6).

It was a gift. Kim Seung-gyu spilled a long-range shot from Romo, and the ball squirmed over the line. The German press called it a "keeper error" and a "devastating mistake" (10) (13). Kicker put it bluntly: one goalkeeper blundered, the other shone (4).

Raúl Rangel, Mexico's keeper, made a massive stop late on. Then Edson Álvarez cleared off the line in the 87th minute to deny what looked like a certain equalizer (3) (5). Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in both started but could not find a way through (12).

Your team did not play badly. The scoreline is cruel. But the reality is simple: South Korea now sit on 3 points and must beat South Africa on June 24 to reach the knockout stage (1).

Romo's moment, Kim's nightmare

Romo's goal came early in the second half. A shot from distance, not especially venomous, but Kim got his positioning all wrong (2) (11). The ball bounced in, and the Estadio Azteca erupted.

After that, Mexico managed the game. Javier Aguirre's side knew a win would seal the group, and they held on. South Korea pushed, but Álvarez's clearance from the goal line was the moment that defined the night (3).

South Africa draw, the group is wide open

Czech Republic 1–1 South Africa in the other Group A match (9). That result keeps South Korea alive. Beat South Africa in the final group game, and your team advances. Lose or draw, and it gets complicated.

Around the World Cup

Canada hammered Qatar 6–0 in Group B, but the story was an injury to Ismael Kone that overshadowed the win (8). Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4–1 in the same group (9).

Fan reactions

Reddit was unforgiving about the goal. The Romo strike thread filled up fast, and the tone was one of disbelief about how it went in. The Álvarez clearance thread was pure pain for South Korea fans, a goal-line intervention that saved Mexico's win. The big chance at 87 minutes drew heavy traffic too, with many calling it the moment the equalizer should have come.