{"id":17153,"date":"2026-07-10T02:32:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T21:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=17153"},"modified":"2026-07-10T02:32:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T21:02:45","slug":"mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Mexico vs South Korea: Match Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><i>Group Stage | Group A<\/i><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/#Match_overview\" title=\"Match overview\">Match overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/#Team_analysis\" title=\"Team analysis\">Team analysis<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/#Mexico\" title=\"Mexico\">Mexico<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/#South_Korea\" title=\"South Korea\">South Korea<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/#Head-to-head_record\" title=\"Head-to-head record\">Head-to-head record<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/#Tactical_preview\" title=\"Tactical preview\">Tactical preview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/#Key_storylines\" title=\"Key storylines\">Key storylines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview\/#Prediction_and_verdict\" title=\"Prediction and verdict\">Prediction and verdict<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><i>Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara\u00a0 |\u00a0 Friday, 19 June\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 6:30 AM (IST)<\/i><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Match_overview\"><\/span><b>Match overview<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Both Group A leaders on three points head into what effectively shapes the group. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca \u2014 Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones after nine minutes, Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez in the second half. South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1, with Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu turning it around after half-time. The winner takes command at the top of Group A.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Watch the <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\"><b><i>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i> live in India on ZEE5. Choose the \u20b9799 quarterly plan or the \u20b91,699 annual plan to stream every match of the tournament.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Team_analysis\"><\/span><b>Team analysis<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mexico\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/mexico\/mexico-squad\"><b>Mexico<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Javier Aguirre is into his third spell as El Tri manager and Mexico look settled on home soil. Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez opened the tournament with a goal against South Africa at 34, still reliable and physical in the box, with Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones giving the team an early lead. The midfield platform is built around captain Edson \u00c1lvarez of Fenerbah\u00e7e. Rafael M\u00e1rquez \u2014 one of Mexico\u2019s greatest \u2014 serves as Aguirre\u2019s assistant, a former captain guiding this generation from the dugout.<\/p>\n<p><b>Key player: Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez \u2014 <\/b>The Fulham striker is 34 and has been defying the years with consistent Premier League form. His hold-up play, aerial presence, and composure in the box make him Mexico\u2019s most complete centre-forward. He scored against South Africa and faces a South Korean back three that coped well against Czechia but hasn\u2019t yet dealt with a physical focal point of his quality.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"South_Korea\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/korea-republic\/korea-republic-squad\"><b>South Korea<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Hong Myung-bo\u2019s side showed character against Czechia \u2014 going behind before Hwang In-beom levelled and Oh Hyeon-gyu won it with ten minutes left. The 3-4-2-1 gives them defensive solidity through Kim Min-jae, one of the best centre-backs in world football at Bayern Munich, while Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min operate as the attacking pair behind the striker. Son left Tottenham last summer for LAFC, and at 33 this is almost certainly his final World Cup.<\/p>\n<p><b>Key player: Lee Kang-in \u2014 <\/b>The PSG midfielder is South Korea\u2019s creative engine. His precise passing, movement, and technical sharpness in tight spaces make him the player most likely to unlock a well-organised defence. He set up Hwang In-beom\u2019s equaliser against Czechia with a perfectly weighted pass, and that same creativity against Mexico\u2019s midfield could be the difference between a draw and three points.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Head-to-head_record\"><\/span><b>Head-to-head record<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mexico have won both previous World Cup meetings with South Korea \u2014 3-1 in 1998 (Ha Seokju\u2019s early goal cancelled out by a Luis Hern\u00e1ndez brace and Ricardo Pel\u00e1ez), then 2-1 in the 2018 Russia Group F. A 2025 friendly ended 2-2, suggesting the gap between these sides has closed considerably. It\u2019s a fixture with genuine competitive edge, and South Korea will be motivated to finally end their losing run against El Tri at a World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tactical_preview\"><\/span><b>Tactical preview<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Aguirre will maintain the compact shape that worked against South Africa \u2014 hard to play through, quick on the transition, width from the wide midfielders. South Korea\u2019s 3-4-2-1 adds an extra central defender, which could limit Mexico\u2019s runs behind the backline. The key battle is in the middle third: Edson \u00c1lvarez must restrict Lee Kang-in\u2019s space, while Mexico\u2019s attackers try to exploit South Korea\u2019s wing-backs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_storylines\"><\/span><b>Key storylines<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Mexico are playing all three group stage matches on home soil \u2014 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and Estadio Guadalajara here in Guadalajara. The atmosphere against South Africa was electric. Guadalajara will be just as loud, and that crowd support is a real factor when a match is tight and both teams are chasing a goal.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Son Heung-min arrives at this FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 for what is realistically his farewell to the biggest stage. He moved from Tottenham to LAFC last summer and has settled well, registering eight assists in MLS this season. His role for South Korea has evolved \u2014 from the outright goalscorer to the provider \u2014 but he is still the player every opponent has to plan for.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Aguirre\u2019s decision to start Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez ahead of Santiago Gim\u00e9nez against South Africa raised questions. Gim\u00e9nez is arguably Mexico\u2019s most talented centre-forward, but injury limited him to one goal across all competitions in his first Serie A season at AC Milan. Whether Aguirre keeps faith with Jim\u00e9nez or hands Gim\u00e9nez a start here is one of the more interesting selection calls of the group stage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prediction_and_verdict\"><\/span><b>Prediction and verdict<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mexico\u2019s home advantage and H2H record make them slight favourites, but South Korea showed against Czechia they can handle pressure and come from behind. Lee Kang-in and Son will test this Mexican defence. Expect goals at both ends. Mexico has a slight edge here.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><i>ZEE5 is the official streaming home for the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 in India. Mexico vs South Korea kicks off at 6:30 AM IST on June 19 \u2014 check available <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"><b><i>ZEE5 FIFA subscription <\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>plans and stream live today.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Group Stage | Group A Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara\u00a0 |\u00a0 Friday, 19 June\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 6:30 AM (IST) Match overview Both Group A leaders on three points head into what effectively shapes the group. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca \u2014 Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones after nine minutes, Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez in the second half. South Korea [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":17154,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3031,3207,3210],"class_list":["post-17153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-group-a","tag-mexico-vs-south-korea-match-preview"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1132x400-77.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mexico vs South Korea: Match Preview<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"FIFA 2026\u2122: Mexico and South 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