Lee Young-pyo: "Mexican match, Korean players did really well; a small mistake changed the result"

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Young-pyo, a KBS commentator and one of the key figures behind the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan semi-final legend, evaluated South Korea's loss to Mexico by saying, "A single small mistake changed the outcome of an otherwise well-played match."

Commentator Lee Young-pyo said on the 19th (Korean time), shortly after South Korea, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, lost 0-1 to Mexico in the second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup Group A at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, that "overall, the Korean players played a good match."

Commentator Lee Young-pyo added, "Mexico dominated the early part of the first half, but after the hydration break, South Korea took control of the game itself," while noting, "However, the single collision that occurred during the goal-scoring moment, that small thing, changed the result of the match."

On this day, South Korea stood firm against host nation Mexico, which enjoyed one-sided support from home fans, but conceded a heartbreaking first goal due to a collision between goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) and defender Lee Ki-hyuk (Kangwon FC) in the 5th minute of the second half. Kim Seung-gyu failed to properly catch the ball while securing an aerial ball and falling, and as he landed, he collided with Lee Ki-hyuk, allowing Luis Romero (Chivas) to kick the loose ball into the empty net.

After conceding the first goal, South Korea attempted a turnaround through quick substitutions but ultimately failed to achieve results. In particular, despite launching a counterattack utilizing the height advantage of Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland) in the late second half, they could not open the goal guarded by goalkeeper Raul Rangel (Chivas) and had to swallow their disappointment.

Commentator Lee Young-pyo reflected, "Overall, the match itself was really good. It was Mexico's home, the host nation, and under almost one-sided support and an overwhelming atmosphere, (the Korean players) did everything they could," while adding, "Except for the communication error that occurred during the goal-scoring moment, everything else was good. It was a match where we could have won or drawn, so it is truly disappointing."

Continuing, Commentator Lee Young-pyo said, "I wish plays like crosses or breakthrough attempts on both sides that led to corner kicks had come a bit faster," noting, "We saw the opponent suffering from such plays. It is disappointing that these plays only came out in the final moments. If they had appeared from the middle of the second half, we could have easily taken the goal, so it is even more disappointing."

Following this defeat, South Korea maintained second place in the group with 3 points (1 win, 1 loss), behind Mexico (6 points, 2 wins). However, the gap to third-place Czech Republic and fourth-place South Africa (both with 1 point) is only 2 points, so qualification for the Round of 32 is not yet confirmed. South Korea will play the final group stage match against South Africa at Monterrey Stadium on the 26th at 10 a.m.

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*This content was translated by AI.