Why was one point enough for Mexico? The 'step toward the loose ball' that decided a tense 90 minutes against South Korea

Chapter 1: It wasn't flashy. But it was a strong way to win

Mexico 1-0 South Korea.

The only goal came in the second half.

It wasn't a spectacular breakdown of the defense, nor was it a brilliant long-range shot.

After South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu handled a cross, he collided with a teammate and spilled the ball.

Luis Romo ran in and tapped it home.

It was an event that lasted only a few seconds that decided the match.

However, if you dismiss this match as 'Mexico won because of South Korea's mistake,' you will overlook something important.

Mexico did not disengage from the match until that moment arrived.

South Korea had hardly broken down until they conceded the goal.

They neutralized each other's strengths, making it difficult to move forward easily.

That thread of tension loosened just once in the 50th minute.

Mexico did not miss that moment.

Chapter 2: South Korea was troubling Mexico

South Korea was not bad in the first half.

In the 16th minute, Son Heung-min broke through behind the defensive line.

Seeing the goalkeeper's position, he lofted a chip shot.

The ball headed toward the goal and was cleared just off the line.

Although it was later ruled offside, South Korea's objective was clear.

The moment Mexico moved forward, they would have Son Heung-min run into the space behind them.

Rather than making short passes, they aimed to head straight for the goal with fewer touches.

Even though Mexico had the ball for a long time, South Korea was not just being forced to defend.

They applied pressure from the front, and once they won the ball, they moved quickly vertically.

As time passed, South Korea was also able to hold the ball little by little.

As Mexico's manager Javier Aguirre said after the match, South Korea did not give up space easily.

The first half ended 0-0.

It was a question of which side would lose their patience first.

That was the kind of match it was.

Chapter 3: Mexico also lacked a decisive blow

Mexico also had their chances.

In the 20th minute, Julián Quiñones had a header.

However, Kim Seung-gyu blocked it.

Mexico moved the ball to the flanks and tried to shift South Korea's defense with crosses.

However, the center of South Korea's defense did not open up easily.

They have the ball.

They are also in the opponent's half.

Even so, they cannot cross that final line.

In soccer, there are times like this.

Even though it looks like they are attacking, the opponent is not that flustered.

In the first half, Mexico held the initiative in the match, but they were unable to break down South Korea completely.

That is precisely why how they started the second half was important.

Chapter 4: Immediately after the start of the second half, Mexico took a step forward

When the second half began, the Mexican players strengthened their awareness of moving forward just a little bit.

49th minute.

Left back Jesús Gallardo charged forward vigorously from his own half.

He linked up with the front line and managed to get a shot off.

The ball missed the target, but there was a heat that was different from the first half.

If the fullbacks move to a high position, the South Korean defense has no choice but to drop back.

The midfielders are also pulled toward covering the outside.

It was right after that.

Kim Seung-gyu handled a cross from the right.

Upon landing, he collided with a teammate, and the ball spilled out.

Romo was there.

In the 50th minute, Mexico took the lead.

Chapter 5: Romo was not in that 'accidental spot' by chance

Looking only at the goal, it was a goalkeeper error.

However, if Romo had not been in that spot, the ball would have been recovered by a South Korean player and that would have been the end of it.

A cross comes in.

The goalkeeper comes out.

Normally, it would not be strange to think the attack was over at that point.

Even so, Romo did not stop his feet.

He moved into the front of the goal until the ball was completely secured.

As a result, that one step became the winning goal.

It was not a striker's goal.

It was not a flashy breakthrough either.

However, goals like this are common in strong teams.

It is not about expecting someone to make a mistake.

It is about being in the spot where you can be the first to touch the ball when something happens.

Romo's goal had the quality of good preparation.

Chapter 6: South Korea did not panic even after conceding

South Korea brought on Hwang Hee-chan, Oh Hyeon-gyu, and Cho Gue-sung.

They increased the number of players in the front line, aiming for an equalizer.

However, Mexico did not allow them to use the center easily.

Whenever Son Heung-min moved inside, multiple players closed the distance.

Whenever they aimed for a vertical pass, the midfield blocked the lane.

South Korea gradually increased their attacks by sending in crosses from the outside.

There is nothing wrong with crosses themselves.

The problem was that the ball was being sent to where Mexico was waiting.

Mexico's defenders were lined up in the center.

Even when South Korean players entered the front of the goal, they were beaten to the ball.

Even after increasing the number of attacking players, they could not change how the ball was delivered.

Chapter 7: 87th minute, the last chance that came to South Korea

Even so, South Korea did not give up on the match until the end.

87th minute.

A cross comes in from the left side.

Cho Gue-sung jumps high and connects with his head.

For South Korea, this was the moment they came closest to scoring in the match.

However, goalkeeper Raul Rangel reacts.

He prevented a sharp header, protecting Mexico's one-goal lead.

In a 1-0 match, the goalscorer is not the only hero.

Romo scored the goal, and Rangel defended it at the end.

These two plays combined to complete Mexico's victory.

Chapter 8: It wasn't just the front of the goal that Mexico defended

After taking the lead, Mexico did not simply retreat into their own half.

They moved forward when attacking.

However, they did not commit too many players.

They maintained a shape that allowed them to defend immediately upon losing the ball.

If South Korea pushed forward, they targeted the space behind them.

Watching the score and the remaining time, they gradually slowed down the pace of the game.

This style of play can look dull when watched on television.

Why don't they attack more?

Why don't they go for a second goal?

There are moments when one feels that way.

However, in the World Cup, the points remain before the performance does.

After scoring one goal, Mexico had no need to make the game flashy.

They prevented South Korea from using the center and reduced the number of dangerous situations.

Through that accumulation, they finished the game at 1-0.

Chapter 9: South Korea lost. But the content was not pessimistic.

South Korea was defeated.

Even so, it was not a match that should be entirely dismissed.

In the first half, they fought on equal terms with Mexico.

There were also movements behind the defense by Son Heung-min.

Even after conceding, they did not lose their composure and aimed for an equalizer until the end.

It is understandable that manager Hong Myung-bo reflected that they 'played according to the plan'.

What was lacking was the final precision to turn their good spells into goals.

And the one loose ball they allowed Mexico.

You can lose even if your performance is not bad.

Even if you look evenly matched, you may not walk away with points.

The difficulty of the World Cup was condensed on the South Korean side.

Chapter 10: Mexico secures top spot in the group

Mexico has two wins in two matches.

Three goals scored, zero conceded.

It is not a flashy number.

However, they never trailed and scored the goals they needed.

With this victory, they have secured the top spot in Group A.

Furthermore, this marks their first three-game winning streak in World Cup history across tournaments.

It is not just the momentum of the host nation; their ability to win close matches is reflected in the results.

Meanwhile, South Korea will face South Africa in the final matchday.

If they win, they will move closer to advancing on their own merits.

If they lose, the possibility of leaving the tournament increases.

The next 90 minutes will be a match that tests not only technique but also mental strength.

📘 To enjoy the Japan national team even more

I have also written a book to help you enjoy the Japan national team even more during this World Cup.

The theme is why the Japan national team has become stronger.

I have summarized the selection of the 26-man Moriyasu Japan squad, tactical analysis, and the path to victory for reaching the quarterfinals in the 2026 World Cup as clearly as possible.

'Why was this player selected?'

'Why do they defend in this formation?'

'Where are they trying to win the ball?'

Once you can see that much, watching Japan national team matches becomes even more interesting.

▼ Click here for the book to support the Japan national team

📚 There are also books related to the World Cup

Host country.

Travel distance.

Time difference.

Heat.

Tactics.

AI.

Data.

Even before the match begins, there are many interesting points about the World Cup.

▼ Click here for World Cup related books

Chapter 11: A 1-0 match becomes interesting when you change your perspective

There was only one goal in this match.

Therefore, if you only watch the highlights, it ends in a few minutes.

Kim Seung-gyu spilled the ball, and Romo pushed it in.

It may look like just that.

However, before that, there was a period where South Korea had closed off the center.

There was a change where Mexico pushed forward a bit more in the second half.

There was the step Romo took as he kept running toward the goal.

After taking the lead, there was a period where Mexico forced South Korea's attacks to the outside.

And in the 87th minute, there was the save by Rangel that secured the three points.

If you only look at the goal, you will only find one thing.

But if you follow why that goal was born, the 90 minutes connect together.

It is not only flashy matches that are interesting.

A 1-0 score has the intrigue of exposing the philosophies of both teams.

Mexico turned a single mistake into a victory.

South Korea was defeated by a single mistake.

That slight difference carried Mexico to a first-place finish and sent South Korea into the tension of the final matchday.

From just watching football to understanding and talking about it.

Leo Costa Football Analysis Room