Mexico took a huge step towards the last-16 stage of the 2018 World Cup courtesy of a 2-1 win over South Korea on Saturday afternoon.
The victory moved Juan Carlos Osorio's side onto six points in Group F, and they are now in a strong position to book their spot in the knockout round of the competition.
Mexico will finish their group-stage campaign against Sweden on June 27, while South Korea face the world champions Germany on the same day.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup coverage continues from Group F as South Korea face Mexico in what should be a very interesting game. South Korea opened their Group F campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Sweden last time out, but Mexico recorded a famous 1-0 victory over world champions Germany. Another win for Mexico in this match would see them book their spot in the round of 16 providing that Germany do not beat Sweden later tonight. Stay tuned for live updates!
The only previous World Cup meeting between South Korea and Mexico occurred in 1998, with the Central Americans running out 3-1 winners in the group stage of the competition. It will be their 12th meeting overall, however, and Mexico lead the head-to-head record six wins to four. Their last clash was an international friendly back in 2017, and Mexico recorded a 4-0 success on that occasion.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Rostov. Have both managers shuffled their pack following their opening clashes, or is it the case of same again?
TEAMS!
SOUTH KOREA: Cho; Y Lee, Jang, Y G Kim, M W Kim; Hwang, Ki, Ju, Moon; Son, J S Lee
MEXICO: Ochoa; Gallardo, Alvarez, Moreno, Salcedo; Herrera, Guardado; Lozano, Vela, Layun; Hernandez
South Korea once again have Ki Sung-yeung and Son Heung-min in their starting XI this afternoon, but Kim Min-woo and Ju Se-jong both come into the team following the 1-0 defeat to Sweden. Red Bull Salzburg's Hwang Hee-chan also keeps his spot as he looks to add to his two international goals.
Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio, meanwhile, has made one change to the team that started against Germany last time out, with Edson Alvarez replacing Hugo Ayala in one of the two centre-back positions. Hirving Lozano scored the only goal of the match against Germany and keeps his spot in attack, while Carlos Vela will also support Javier Hernandez in the final third of the field.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Rostov. Let me just run through the current situation in Group F; Sweden and Mexico sit first and second respectively having both collected three points in their group openers last time out.
Mexico would book their spot in the last-16 stage of the World Cup if they win this afternoon and Germany then fail to beat Sweden later tonight. Sweden, meanwhile, are though if they win and South Korea draw or lose. South Korea would also be out if they lose and Sweden draw or win, while Germany would be eliminated today if they lose and Mexico manage to collect all three points. Got it? Good!
Andreas Granqvist scored from the penalty spot as Sweden beat South Korea last time out, and it would be fair to say that Sweden were the better team. Indeed, South Korea did not have a single shot on target during their Group F opener as they struggled to get the likes of Son involved in the match.
South Korea failed to make it out of the group stage at a World Cup between 1986 and 1998, before famously finishing fourth at the 2002 competition. They also reached the round of 16 in the 2010 tournament in South Africa, but were eliminated in the group stages in Brazil four years ago.
As for Mexico, they have made the last-16 stage of a World Cup in each of the last six tournaments, but have not progressed to the quarter-finals since the 1986 competition on home soil. El Tri were unfortunate to lose 2-1 to Netherlands in the first knockout round in 2014, and certainly look capable of causing a lot of problems this summer. Indeed, their Group F campaign started in very impressive fashion.
Lozano scored the only goal of the match as Mexico overcame Germany last weekend. It was far from a lucky victory, however, with the Central Americans causing all sorts of problems with their pace and movement in the final third. In all honesty, Mexico should be too strong for South Korea in this one.
The atmosphere is really building with little over 10 minutes until kickoff at the Rostov Arena. You do get the feeling that South Korea will need to start well if they are to pick up a positive result here.
Just a reminder that Mexico will not actually book their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition with a win here, but three points would be enough if Germany fail to beat Sweden tonight, which should be a very interesting match. South Korea have a lot to do to qualify for the knockout round.
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in Rostov. Can Mexico make it back-to-back wins in Group F, or will South Korea throw the group wide open with a victory of their own? Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the action right here!
KICKOFF! South Korea kick things off in Rostov...
... Mexico enter this match having lost just two of their last 18 World Cup group-stage matches, but having failed to win back-to-back games in the competition since 2002. South Korea, meanwhile, have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 og their last 13 World Cup matches – conceding in each of their last seven.
As expected, Mexico have been in charge of the possession in the early moments, with South Korea dropping into a deep shape. El Tri are moving the ball with a lot of confidence, which is not a surprise.
No chances to report in the opening six minutes, but it has been one-way traffic as Mexico continue to force the issue. Layun has just had a deep free kick into the South Korean box cleared by Ju.
Layun continues to cause South Korea problems as he dances away from a couple of challenges before attempting to deliver, but the number 12 Kim does well to make the block.
Smart defending from Lozano - who is back in the right-back area - to prevent Hwang from racing clear in a wide position. Mexico's number 22 has started well at both ends of the field here.
South Korea captain Ki is a touch fortunate to escape a card for a really poor challenge on Vela.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of attacking football at the moment, with both teams guilty of conceding possession far too easily. Mexico's free-kick count, however, continues to rise here.
Half-chance for Mexico as Hernandez's header from inside the box moves wide of the post.
CHANCE! Big chance for South Korea as Hwang delivers a wonderful cross into the Mexico box, but Lozano throws himself at an attempt from Lee! Excellent from Lozano once again!
Just a few signs that this match is opening up, with both teams committing players in the final third of the field. Mexico again break into a wide position with Layun, but Lee is on hand to make the block.
Hernandez looks to meet a long pass from Vela, but South Korea goalkeeper Cho is out to make the clearance. We are still waiting for Mexico's first serious opportunity of the match here.
The referee continues to be lenient as Ki fouls Hernandez once again. Surely a booking!
Pass, pass, pass from Mexico as they move the ball in the final third of the field, but in fairness to South Korea, they have been tight defensively in the opening 22 minutes. Still goalless here.
CHANCES! Son has three shots in the space of 10 seconds, but the Tottenham attacker sees his first two efforts blocked before firing wide of the post. All happening at the moment!
SAVE! Ochoa has to tip a Ki header over the Mexico crossbar!
PENALTY MEXICO!
Mexico have a penalty as Jang is penalised for handball! The number 20 blocked a cross from Guardado with his hand, and Mexico will have the chance to score from the penalty spot here...
GOAL! South Korea 0-1 Mexico (Vela, pen)
Vela sends Cho the wrong way from the penalty spot, and Mexico lead!
SAVE! Huge chance for Mexico to score a second as Layun is found in all sorts of space inside the South Korea box, but the midfielder sees his effort brilliantly tipped over by Cho!
South Korea have a free kick in a dangerous area as Son is brought to the ground...
... Son's effort had the power, but it was always high of the Mexican goal.
South Korea really need to be careful that they do not concede a second at this stage of the match. Mexico are certainly moving the ball quicker in the final third as they look for a second goal.
South Korea have a problem with their number 2 here, with Lee going down under a challenge from Gallardo. The full-back seemed to take an elbow in the ribs, and that will certainly be painful.
Just a reminder that Mexico would be through to the round of 16 if they win this match and Germany fail to beat Sweden tonight. That said, it would be a big surprise if the world champions did not pick up all three points later when considering that they will still be hurting from the Mexico defeat.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and Mexico still lead courtesy of that penalty from Vela. South Korea have had their moments, but have been second best thus far here.
SAVE! Smart goalkeeping from Ochoa as the Mexican comes out to challenge Son, who had taken a heavy touch as he broke into the Mexican box. Incredible pace from Son there!
Mexico have possession in South Korea's half of the field as we approach the interval here.
Lozano works his way into the South Korea box before striking towards goal, but the ball was always rising over the crossbar. Lozano has again been impressive for the Mexicans this afternoon.
Son has one deflected over the Mexico crossbar on the brink of the interval here.
We are into the first and only minute of added time at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: South Korea 0-1 Mexico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Mexico leading South Korea 1-0 courtesy of a penalty from Vela. Mexico have been the better team, but South Korea have certainly had their moments in the final third, with Son a huge threat. All to play for in the second period here.
STATISTICS! Mexico dominated the first-half possession with 69%, while they managed five attempts - three of which were on target. South Korea, on the other hand, hit the target with two of their eight attempts. There has not actually been a single yellow card despite some late challenges here!
BENCH WATCH! Mexico's Osorio has a number of attacking options on his bench here, with Aquino, Corona, Giovani dos Santos, Jonathan dos Santos, Jimenez and Peralta all available. South Korea manager Shin, meanwhile, has the likes of Shin-wook Kimg and Hong Chul in reserve.
RESTART! Mexico resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops in Rostov.
South Korea are certainly moving the ball quicker in the early stages of the second period.
Half-chance for Mexico as Hernandez's flick finds Vela, who feeds Lozano, but the attacker fires his effort over the South Korea crossbar. Hernandez's excellent little header started that move.
Another half-chance for Mexico as Hernandez finds space outside the South Korea goal, but his effort was always high of the crossbar. The striker might have found Lozano with the pass there.
Half-chance for South Korea as Moon breaks into the Mexico box, but his effort is blocked.
It is an open game at the moment as both teams commit players in the final third. Mexico have a free kick in a dangerous position as Lozano is brought to the ground by Ju. Layun is over the ball...
... Guardado delivers the free kick into the South Korea box, but Cho is on hand to collect.
SAVE! Ochoa has to keep out a powerful strike from Ki!
BOOKING! Y Kim (South Korea) is booked for a foul on Vela.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Cho to keep out a strike from Guardado!
Still no movement on either bench, but we are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering alterations. There is a lot of attacking talent on both benches this afternoon, and it would well be a game decided off the bench. Little under 30 minutes of football to play in Rostov.
Lozano does brilliantly well to collect a long ball before striking towards goal, but Jang is on hand to make the block. Lozano continues to threaten, but some of his shooting has been a little wild.
BLOCK! J Lee has a shot blocked by Salcedo as chances continue to arrive.
Vela bends one just over the South Korea crossbar with an effort from distance.
BOOKING! Lee Yong (South Korea) is booked for a foul on Lozano.
SOUTH KOREA SUB! Lee Seung-woo replaces Ju for South Korea.
GOAL! South Korea 0-2 Mexico (Hernandez)
Mexico double their lead in the 66th minute as Hernandez races onto a pass from Lozano before finishing into the bottom corner of the net. That is Hernandez's 50th goal for the national team!
MEXICO SUB! Marquez replaces Guardado for Mexico.
SAVE! Ochoa does well to hold onto a deflected effort from Hwang.
MEXICO SUB! Corona replaces Lozano in Mexico's second change.
BOOKING! S Lee (South Korea) is booked for a foul on Layun.
Mexico are preparing to make their third change of the match, and it will be Giovani dos Santos. South Korea really need a goal back soon if they are to make a late push for something here.
Comedy of errors at the back for Mexico, but they get away with it as Marquez makes a smart challenge. The referee is then forced to intervene as Ki goes flying into a challenge with Ochoa.
The chance came when Marquez tried to knock the ball back to Ochoa, but South Korea got it horribly wrong. Mexico are very fortunate to still have their two-goal lead in tact at this stage.
MEXICO SUB! G Dos Santos replaces Vela for Mexico.
SOUTH KOREA SUB! Jung replaces Moon for South Korea.
Mexico have been very sloppy on the ball in the last five or so minutes here.
BOOKING! Jung (South Korea) is booked for a foul on Hernandez.
South Korea are battling for every ball at the moment, and that will surely lead to more cards. Hernandez is still ranting about the elbow that he took in the face from Jung a moment ago.
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining, and Mexico still lead 2-0.
SOUTH KOREA SUB! Hong replaces M Kim for South Korea.
Corona is the target as Marquez looks for the long pass, but South Korea are on the front foot at the moment as they look to set up a grandstand finish. That said, time is very much running out here.
Possession football from Mexico as we approach the final stages of this match.
Son fires high and wide of the Mexico crossbar. Should have done better!
We are into the first of five additional minutes here.
Not an awful lot to report in stoppage time thus far, with Mexico comfortably closing on what will be a huge three points. Just a reminder that Germany face Sweden in Group F later tonight.
Herrera fires high and wide of the South Korea crossbar as we approach the full-time whistle.
GOAL! South Korea 1-2 Mexico (Son)
Absolute stunner! Son works some space outside the Mexico box before curling a wonderful effort into the corner of the net. That is absolutely sensational from the Tottenham forward.
South Korea couldn't, could they? Still time here.
Mexico keep the ball as we head for the whistle.
FULL-TIME: South Korea 1-2 Mexico
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Mexico recording a 2-1 win over South Korea to move onto six points in Group F. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
