Lee Kang-in continues to deliver 'killer passes'; Kim Seung-gyu puts on a show of saves! Korea, revitalized in the first half, remains 0-0 against Mexico (end of first half)

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korean team under coach Hong Myung-bo finished the first half scoreless against Mexico.

The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, ended the first half of their 2026 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Group A second-round match against Mexico at 0-0. The match took place at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, at 10 a.m. Korean time on the 19th.

South Korea deployed a 3-4-3 formation, as in the first match. Leading the front line was Son Heung-min, with Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung joining the attack on both flanks. The midfield was composed of Hwang In-beom and Baek Seung-ho, while Seol Young-woo and Kim Moon-hwan were positioned as wing-backs on the left and right, respectively. The back three consisted of Lee Ki-geun, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Han-beom. Kim Seung-gyu wore the goalkeeper gloves. Compared to the first match, Lee Tae-seok was replaced by Kim Moon-hwan, while all other positions remained unchanged.

After a tense battle at the start of the match, Mexico took the first shot. In the 7th minute, Alvarado and Gutierrez took consecutive long-range shots, but all were saved by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.

South Korea also attempted a counterattack. In the 16th minute, Son Heung-min penetrated the space behind the defense and took a lob shot in a one-on-one situation against the goalkeeper, but a Mexican defender cleared it in front of the goal. Although it was a dangerous opportunity, an offside was called.

South Korea avoided a goal-scoring crisis. In the 20th minute, a cross from the left flank was connected by Alvarado with a header, but goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu leaped to make the save.

South Korea repeatedly targeted the space behind Mexico's defense by utilizing Lee Kang-in's precise left-footed penetrating passes from the second line.

After the hydration break, South Korea increased its ball possession and began to take control. In the 41st minute, Hwang In-beom delivered a penetrating pass, which Seol Young-woo received and shot from the left side of the box, but the shot went far wide of the goal. Then, in the 44th minute, Lee Kang-in took a long-range shot from outside the box, which was blocked by the Mexican defense.

The first half ended scoreless at 0-0.

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*This content was translated by AI.