Mexico Edge South Korea to Become First Team into World Cup Knockouts

Mexico fans got their wish today. The co-hosts became the first team to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds, edging South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara.

The only goal came in the 50th minute, and it wasn't pretty. South Korea keeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with his own teammate Lee Gi-hyuk while trying to deal with the ball, dropped it, and Mexico's Luis Romo simply tapped it into the empty net.

It was enough to send the home crowd home happy, even though they weren't always happy during the match. Fans actually booed their own team at halftime after a flat first 45 minutes.

South Korea had chances to equalize. Captain Son Heung-min chipped the ball over keeper Raul Rangel earlier in the game, but Edson Alvarez cleared it off the line, and the play was waved offside anyway. Late in the match, Cho Gue-sung headed a shot from close range that Rangel saved, then Rangel somehow also stopped the follow-up attempt from Yang Hyun-jun.

Mexico had its own chances to add to the lead. Raul Jimenez nearly scored from a tight angle in the 75th minute, and substitute Obed Vargas drew a diving save out of Kim later on with a hard strike.

In the end, one goal was all Mexico needed. The win keeps coach Javier Aguirre's team perfect through the group stage and locks them in as Group A winners. That means Mexico will play their round of 32 match in Mexico City.

South Korea, despite the loss, isn't in trouble. They already beat Czech Republic in their first match, so they're still in solid shape to move on.

Both teams have one game left in the group stage. South Korea plays South Africa on Thursday in Monterrey, while Mexico closes out against Czech Republic at the same time in Mexico City.