Flying high from their shock victory against Germany, Mexico will look to add to their impressive start with a win against South Korea which will give them a commanding stance in Group F.
Hirving Lozano’s 35th minute goal gave Mexico a lead to defend against Germany and they held their own to give them the chance of realistically qualifying as group winners. South Korea, on the other hand, were underwhelming in their 1-0 defeat against Sweden and struggled to get Son Heung-min into the game, something he later apologised for.
Defeat for South Korea and it’s time to start packing their bags for the plane back home, which could tempt Shin Tae-yong into a more attacking set-up in an attempt to take the game to their opposition.
55 mins: A poor free kick from Mexico leaves Korea to break, but they struggle to support their forwards, before Ki gets a powerful shot away that Ochoa saves
51 mins: Lozano has the first chance of the half for Mexico but curls his shot high over the bar
50 mins: An edgy start to the half for both sides as they look to get back into their rhythm after the break
SECOND HALF: Mexico get us back underway in the second half. Korea have completed their half-time huddle, and they’ll need to find some kind of inspiration to get a goal and at least a draw in the next 45 minutes
Perhaps not the greatest half of football you will see at this World Cup, but the longer the game goes on South Korea must try to attack to keep them in with a chance of making the round of 16.
HALF TIME: South Korea 0-1 Mexico
Carlos Vela’s early penalty is the difference between the two sides at the break in a tight first half with both sides still very much in the match
43 mins: Mexico look comfortable in possession, and surprisingly for South Korea their best outlet is the long ball in behind for Son to run onto. Salcedo looks nervy up against the pace of Son
38 mins: Neither side desperate for a goal, as of yet in this one. With the majority of the game being a battle in midfield as South Korea look to stop Mexico getting the ball to Lozano and Hernandez.
Son has another attempt that’s blocked by Ochoa and out for a corner, which Ochoa punches away.
34 mins: A stoppage in play as Lee Yong receives treatment for what looks to be a rib injury.
He’s back on his feet and ready to rejoin play.
31 mins: South Korea have a free kick 30 yards out but Son rockets his effort just over the Bar
28 mins: Almost a second for Mexico! Layun goes close but his shot was saved and Mexico have a corner. Easy for Cho and South Korea can breathe again
26 mins: GOAL! South Korea 0-1 Mexico (Carlos Vela)
After a long wait as Cho Hyun-Woo tried to delay the penalty, Vela coolly slots
25 mins: PENALTY!Mexico have a penalty after Jang Hyun-Soo handballs in the area
22 mins: Son has his first opportunities of the game, and has three blocked shots resulting in a corner for the Koreans. Ki goes close, forcing Ochoa into a save to tip his header over the bar.
19 mins: This time it’s South Korea to have an opportunity from a set piece as Son draws a foul from Salcedo. Again it comes to nothing, as a decent cross is put into the box without an attacking focal point to head home
17 mins: Few clear chances in these opening moments, Mexico have had a couple of set piece opportunities they’ve failed to capitalise on, and South Korea are looking to sit back and catch them on the break.
13 mins: South Korea fly forward again, but they are denied by an incredible flying tackle from Hirving Lozano to save the Mexicans. Twice already Lozano’s work rate and tracking back has helped his side
11 mins: Another foul from South Korea and they are starting to add up already. Certainly not the same attacking flowing football we saw in game one of the day, as South Korea break up the play at every opportunity.
Hernandez has his first half-chance of the game, but his header from the edge of the area is just off target
8 mins: Mexico, so impressive on the counter against Germany, are being countered themselves early on here. Good discipline from Hirving Lozano as he gets back to defend for his team.
3 mins: Javier Hernandez earns his side a free kick with some good hold up play, before Lozano is also fouled for Mexico. Already South Korea are providing a different challenge to the one from Germany in the first game
