Mexico vs South Korea: Romo Strikes to Send Mexico Top 1-0
Updated 18 June 2026.
Mexico vs South Korea at World Cup 2026 finished 1-0 to Mexico, a Luis Romo strike five minutes into the second half settling the Group A top-of-the-table clash at a raucous Estadio Akron. The win moves the hosts to six points from two games and to the brink of the Round of 32, while South Korea’s perfect start is over and their qualification fight goes to the final matchday.
| Match facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | Mexico 1-0 South Korea |
| Competition | World Cup 2026, Group A |
| Venue | Estadio Akron, Zapopan (att. 45,522) |
| Mexico scorer | Romo 50′ |
| South Korea scorer | None |
| Bookings | Paik Seung-ho, Lee Kang-in (KOR) |
How Mexico edged South Korea
With both teams arriving on three points from winning openers, this had the feel of a group decider, and Mexico settled it with one clean blow. Luis Romo broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart, timing his run and finish to give the hosts a lead their home crowd had been demanding since the first whistle.
South Korea, who had come from behind to beat Czechia in their opener, could not find a second-half response this time. Lee Kang-in saw plenty of the ball but Mexico’s back line held firm, and the Akron roar grew louder with every minute the 1-0 stood. It was a controlled, professional night from Javier Aguirre’s side rather than a thrashing, and it was enough.
What Mexico vs South Korea World Cup 2026 means for Group A
Victory takes Mexico to six points and top of Group A, all but securing their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare. South Korea drop to three and are no longer in control of their fate, though a final-round result should still see them through. Behind them, Czechia and South Africa drew 1-1 to stay alive on one point each. Track it all on our Group A table and the full standings page.
What is next
Both sides turn to a decisive final round of Group A fixtures, with kick-offs on our fixtures page and goals live on live scores. Revisit our pre-match preview, see the rest of the day in our June 18 preview hub, and get the format, venues and full schedule in our complete World Cup 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Mexico vs South Korea?
Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 in their World Cup 2026 Group A match on 18 June at Estadio Akron in Zapopan.
Who scored for Mexico against South Korea?
Luis Romo scored the only goal, striking in the 50th minute, five minutes into the second half.
Have Mexico qualified for the Round of 32?
Mexico are on six points and top of Group A with a game to spare, leaving them on the brink of qualification, though it is not yet mathematically confirmed.
Source: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A.
