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- 2018 FIFA World Cup- South Korea 1 Mexico 2-Match Report! Live Streaming Information, Predicted Teams, World Cup Fixtures, Team News, Kick-off times
2018 FIFA World Cup- South Korea 1 Mexico 2-Match Report! Live Streaming Information, Predicted Teams, World Cup Fixtures, Team News, Kick-off times
El Tri get the better of South Korea with a 2-1 win, taking a major step to qualify for the round of sixteen
Match Report
Javier Hernandez hit his 50th international goal as Mexico edged closer to progression from World Cup Group F with a 2-1 victory over South Korea.
Mexico's all-time leading scorer was well marshalled by South Korea's defence for much of Saturday's clash in Rostov-on-Don, but took his chance when it came in the 66th minute, slotting home in composed fashion at the culmination of a wonderful counter-attack.
Hernandez's goal was nothing less than Mexico, who beat defending champions Germany 1-0 last time out, deserved following another accomplished performance, with South Korea having rallied following Carlos Vela's 26th-minute penalty.
It was not always smooth sailing for Juan Carlos Osorio's side, though, with Lee Yong and Son Heung-min passing up presentable opportunities in the early stages.
However, Jang Hyun-soo's handball gave referee Milorad Mazic little choice but to point to the spot – the number of penalties awarded in Russia consequently surpassing the 13 across the entirety of the previous World Cup – and Vela, who announced the death of his grandfather following the win over Germany, converted.
Hernandez's strike means Mexico will progress to the last 16 if Germany fail to beat Sweden, with Son Heung-min's added-time stunner not enough to stop South Korea staring at a potential group-stage exit.
Hirving Lozano was Mexico's hero on matchday one and the winger proved his worth at the other end in the 12th minute with a superb block to deny Yong.
South Korea threatened again nine minutes later, Son breaking clear of Mexico's line before letting rip with a low drive that Hector Moreno did well to keep out.
Mexico showed their quality on the break again when Miguel Layun fired in a cross that Lozano very nearly got on the end of, but they did not have to wait much longer to take the lead.
With South Korea's defence in disarray, Jang clearly handled Andres Guardado's cross and referee Mazic did not hesitate in awarding the penalty, Vela stepping up and sending Cho Hyun-woo the wrong way.
Vela almost turned provider two minutes later with a neat ball into Layun, but the former Watford man lashed his effort over from close range.
South Korea wanted a penalty of their own after the restart when Moon Seon-min's strike clipped Carlos Salcedo's arm, but the referee correctly waved away their appeals.
Ki Sung-yueng was the next to test Mexico's resolve, stinging the palms of Guillermo Ochoa with a rasping first-time strike.
Not to be outdone, Cho was at his best soon after, South Korea's goalkeeper lunging to his right to tip Hernandez's goal-bound shot wide.
Hernandez would not be denied again, though, the West Ham striker making no mistake in drilling in his landmark goal to send the raucous Mexican crowd into raptures.
Son's sublime 20-yard strike into the top-left corner punctured Mexico's defence in the third minute of stoppage time, but it would prove little more than a consolation as South Korea slumped to a second successive defeat.
Live Updates
Preview
You can watch the stream of South Korea Vs Mexico Live & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Fresh from their shock 1-0 win over World Champions Germany, Mexico will be targeting back to back wins to seal their progression to the round of 16. However, they are coming up against a South Korea side with a point to prove after losing their opening game to Sweden.
As for the Taeguk Warriors, they are facing the prospect of being eliminated at the group stages for a second consecutive World Cup. Head coach Shin Tae-yong will certainly be wanting a big reaction from his side in Rostov, particularly going forward.
Son Heung-min was quiet by his standards against Sweden, and the Tottenham star will have the responsibility of raising himself for the game against the Mexicans. Heung-min barely threatened in attack and will have to do better, unless his country will be heading from Russia at the group stages.
South Korea Predicted Team
Choo Hyun-Woo, Lee Yong, Jang Hyun-Soo, Kim Yiung-Gwon, Park Joo-Hoo, Lee Jae-Sung, Ki Sung-yueng, Koo Ja-Cheol, Hwang Hee-Chan, Kim Shim-Wook, Son Heung-min.
How to watch Online- beIN SPORTS CONNECT
TV Channel- MAX HD3
Kick-off- 18:00
Stadium- Rostov Stadium, Rostov-On-Don
Confidence will be high in the Mexico camp following their memorable 1-0 win against Germany. El Tri put on one of the best team performances in the opening round in their game at the Luzhniki stadium. Their high pressing game proved to be too much for the current world champions.
After such an impressive start, Juan Carlos Osorio will be hoping for more of the same from his side and is widely expected not to change much for the game against the Koreans.
Hirving Lozano was the star for Mexico, scoring the only game of the match. The 22-year old will be raring to go against South Korea and will be hoping to find the back of the net again. El Tri is likely to start with the same attacking outlook, the work rate of the PSV winger and link up play with Javier Hernández will be crucial if Mexico is to pick up back-to-back wins.
Mexico Predicted Team
Ochoa, Salcedo, Ayala, Moreno, Gallardo, Herrera Guadrado, Layin, Vela, Lozano, Hernandez.
It promises to be an interesting tie as South Korea take on Mexico in Rostov. Watch the Live & Exclusive stream of the game on MAX HD3 & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.