'Fatal error' Hong Myung-bo's team concedes the first goal to Mexico... Allows 0-1 lead in the 5th minute of the second half [World Cup]

*This content was translated by AI.

A fatal error occurred. The South Korean national football team, which had been maintaining a tight flow, was shaken.

The South Korean national team led by Coach Hong Myung-bo conceded the first goal in the 5th minute of the second half against Mexico in the Group A second match of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico, on the 19th at 10 a.m. (Korea time).

On this day, South Korea placed captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) at the forefront. In the second-line attacking midfield positions, Lee Kang-in (Mainz) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) were deployed to lead the attack alongside Son Heung-min.

The midfield line consisted of Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City), and Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen). The defense formed a back three with Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), while Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) guarded the goal in the final line.

In response, the host nation Mexico placed Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton Wanderers), who scored the decisive goal in the first match against South Korea at the 2010 South Africa World Cup, at the forefront, and positioned Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), the scorer of the opening goal, on the left wing to target South Korea's goal.

In the midfield, Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado, and Brian Gutierrez (all from Guadalajara) and Erick Lira (Cruz Azul) were deployed to serve as the link between offense and defense. The back four defense was built by Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Yoan Bazquez (Genoa), Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), and Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), while Raul Angel (Guadalajara) wore the goalkeeper's gloves in the final line.

In the first half, South Korea maintained a 0-0 balance amidst a tight flow against Mexico.

South Korea faced a crisis immediately after the start of the second half. In the 4th minute of the second half, Mexican left-back Gallardo charged up from the defensive line with fast speed, breaking through South Korea's flank. He then entered the penalty box and unleashed a sharp left-footed shot, but the ball narrowly missed the outside of the left goalpost, allowing the team to breathe a sigh of relief.

However, not long after overcoming the crisis, South Korea unfortunately conceded the first goal early in the second half. In the 5th minute of the second half, a fatal error occurred due to a momentary lack of coordination between the South Korean defense and the goalkeeper. Kim Seung-gyu collided with Lee Ki-hyuk while jumping to catch an aerial ball, failing to fully secure the ball and losing possession.

Mexico did not miss this opportunity. Romo, who was keenly observing the situation in front of the goal, lightly pushed the loose ball with his right foot, shaking South Korea's goal net. It was a painful goal that occurred before the team could even reorganize its formation.

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*This content was translated by AI.