'Ha Seok-ju's nightmare' to 'Kim Seung-gyu's blunder'... For 28 years, "Why can't we beat Mexico?" Crying again over the World Cup jinx

*This content was translated by AI.

The long-standing 'Mexico jinx' could not be broken.

The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, lost 0-1 to Mexico in the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) World Cup Group A second match held at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, on the 19th (Korean time).

Having defeated Czech Republic in the first match, South Korea maintained second place in the group with one win and one loss (three points) following today's defeat. Whether they advance to the Round of 32 will be decided in the final group stage match.

The outcome hinged on a lack of communication between the goalkeeper and defenders in the early second half. After finishing the first half in a 0-0 deadlock, South Korea lost possession in the fifth minute of the second half when goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Ki-hyuk while handling an aerial ball. Luis Romo of Mexico immediately capitalized on the loose ball with a shot to score the decisive goal.

After conceding the goal, coach Hong Myung-bo brought on Son Heung-min and sequentially introduced Oh Hyun-gyu, Cho Gue-sung, Eom Ji-sung, and Yang Hyun-jun to alter the attacking lineup. Although they increased possession and sought an equalizer, they ultimately failed to shake Mexico's goal net.

Today's defeat also postponed South Korea's long-standing World Cup jinx. Since the 1954 Switzerland tournament up to this North American tournament, South Korea has appeared in the World Cup finals 12 times but recorded a total of four draws and eight losses in the second group stage matches, failing to secure a single victory.

The string of misfortunes against Mexico continued. South Korea's all-time record against Mexico in World Cup finals is now three losses. Starting with the 1998 France tournament, where Ha Seok-ju scored the first-ever goal in World Cup history for South Korea before immediately receiving a red card for a reckless tackle leading to a 3-1 comeback defeat, followed by a 2-1 loss at the 2018 Russia World Cup, and now losing this third encounter. Mexico is the only country against which South Korea has suffered three defeats in World Cup history.

With early passage from the group stage now impossible, South Korea will stake everything on the third match against South Africa, scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 25th at the Monterrey Stadium. They must achieve at least a draw in this match to advance to the Round of 32 on their own.

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*This content was translated by AI.