One of the hosts of this World Cup, the Mexican team qualified for the next phase on Thursday night (18) by defeating South Korea 1-0 at the Akron stadium, in Guadalajara.
Mexico now has 6 points and has already secured first place in Group A, which will give it an advantage in the phase with 32 teams, against a third-placed team that will come out of groups C, E, F, H or I.
Korea can no longer be first because one of the tiebreaker criteria is direct confrontation. In the last game of this phase, the South Koreans face South Africa next Wednesday (24), while Mexico faces the Czech Republic.
The match was balanced from start to finish, with well-defined tactics from both teams. While Mexico preferred quick exchanges of passes to infiltrate and finish, Korea opted for a direct connection with offensive launches, but were offside six times.
The only goal of the duel occurred due to a mistake by the South Korean goalkeeper. On a Mexican cross in the small area, Kim Seung-gyu jumped alone to catch the ball, but was unable to hold on to it and fell on top of defender Lee Gi-hyuk. The ball was free for Luis Romo to touch into the empty goal.
Canada 6 x 0 Qatar
The Canadian team achieved its first victory in the history of the World Cup by beating Qatar 6-0 on Thursday night, in Vancouver.
The confrontation was marked by a sad moment. Canadian Koné had his left leg broken after a tackle by Madibo. At 5 minutes into the final stage, Koné dribbled past his opponent, who made a foul from behind. When he fell, Koné’s foot got stuck on the ground, causing a break in the midfielder’s leg.
Madibo was sent off, leaving Qatar with two players less in the game.
The highlight of the duel was striker Jonathan David, who tied with Lionel Messi for the top scorer in this World Cup, with three goals. The other goals were scored by Malin, Saliba and Manai (own goal).
The match had both teams looking for a historic milestone. Canada and Qatar were facing each other in search of their first World Cup victory, after not having won in previous editions of the World Cup.
The victory drought was greater for the Canadians, who are competing in their third World Cup (they played the tournament in Mexico, in 1986, and, in 2022, in Qatar).
Switzerland 4 x 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
After a frustrating equalizer at the end of the game against Qatar, on Saturday (13), Switzerland returned to the field this Thursday (18) to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 and achieve their first victory in Group B of this World Cup.
The team coached by Murat Yakin was better throughout the match, but it took 74 minutes to turn the superiority into goals. The entry of young Johan Manzambi, aged 20, changed the game.
At 29 minutes into the second half, he scored the first goal. Five minutes later, the situation got worse for the Bosnians, who had defender Muharemovic sent off for tackling Embolo at the edge of the area.
With one more, Switzerland took off and completed the rout with Vargas, Manzambi again, and Xhaka, from the penalty spot. Mahmic scored for Bosnia.
Czech Republic 1 x 1 South Africa
A penalty converted by Teboho Mokoena 37 minutes into the second half secured South Africa’s 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic this Thursday, in Atlanta, in the second round of Group A.
The Czechs had opened the scoring after just five minutes, with Sadílek, but missed a victory that could have eliminated the South Africans.
With the draw, both teams reached one point and keep their chances of qualifying for the next phase alive.
The Czech Republic will face Mexico on the 24th, and South Africa will face South Korea on the same day.
