Foreign media also focused on Son Heung-min's "stunned" reaction, which left the Hong Myung-bo team frustrated by a "crazy save"

*This content was translated by AI.

It was truly a process that seemed like "a goal." The trajectory of the cross from the wing and the header position both appeared close to scoring. However, the result was "no goal." It was a super save that left Son Heung-min (LAFC), who was watching the match from the bench, holding his head in his hands for a long time in regret.

The stage was the second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup Group A between South Korea and Mexico, held on the 19th (Korean time) at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. After conceding a surprising first goal in the 5th minute of the second half due to a collision between goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) and Lee Gi-hyeok (Kangwon FC), the decisive opportunity for the Hong Myung-bo team finally came in the 42nd minute of the second half as they continued their chase.

It started from the left wing. Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City), receiving a pass from Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), quickly penetrated the wing and delivered a right-footed cross after one touch. The cross aimed at the goal was accurately connected to Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland). Cho Gue-sung directly targeted the goal with a jumping header. Since it was a header in front of the goal without interference from defenders, the possibility of scoring also seemed high.

However, Cho Gue-sung's header was blocked by goalkeeper Miguel Raul Rangel (Chivas). Although the header bounced, making it even harder to block, goalkeeper Rangel managed a true super save using his legs and arms. The ball deflected by the goalkeeper flowed toward Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic FC), who was overlapping with Cho Gue-sung, but even Yang Hyun-jun's missed shot was caught at the fingertips of goalkeeper Rangel. In the end, South Korea's two decisive shots from in front of the goal failed to penetrate goalkeeper Rangel, and the situation ended.

Son Heung-min, who was substituted early and watched the match from the bench, could not hide his regret while holding his head in his hands. His expression was one of disbelief that the situation did not lead to a goal. The protagonist, Cho Gue-sung, also looked up at the sky in regret. In the end, South Korea, which failed to capitalize even on a decisive opportunity, lost to Mexico 0-1.

Immediately after the match, the spotlight fell on goalkeeper Rangel's save and Son Heung-min's reaction. Japan's Daily Sports highlighted that "Rangel saved Cho Gue-sung's header, and even the shot that followed the deflection was saved, causing Son Heung-min to hold his head in his hands." Global media DAZN reported that "Son Heung-min seemed unable to believe what he saw," showing the image of Son Heung-min holding his head captured on the broadcast screen, and Football Zone also highlighted that "Son Heung-min, who was on the bench, looked stunned."

In Mexico, he naturally became a "hero." Especially as a goalkeeper who had been at the center of controversy ahead of the World Cup, his save that led to a victory against South Korea in two consecutive scoreless games drew even more attention. Mexican media Recor explained, "From before the World Cup opening, the goalkeeper position was a subject of controversy due to injuries to Luis Malagon (America) and the return of veteran Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol). Coach Javier Aguirre gave Rangel the starting opportunity."

It continued, "Rangel shone like never before in the match against South Korea. He directly proved that the coach's decision to start him was correct. By guarding the goal and bringing three points to the Mexican national team, he became a great hero of Mexican football." It further praised, "The save in the final minutes of the match was a great save that will remain in World Cup history. It was a performance that instantly dismissed the criticism from some quarters that he was not suitable as a starting goalkeeper for the World Cup."

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*This content was translated by AI.