Mexico Advances to World Cup Round of 32 as Canada Celebrates Historic Win
Mexico became the first team to advance to the knockout phase of the World Cup after a narrow 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday. The decisive moment came from a mistake by South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, gifting Luis Romo the only goal in a tense match held in Guadalajara.
This win guarantees Mexico the top position in Group A with one game still remaining, following the 1-1 draw between South Africa and the Czech Republic earlier that day. Finishing first means Mexico will host a last-32 match in Mexico City against a third-placed team.
South Korea sits second with three points, while the Czech Republic and South Africa remain in contention with one point each.
Canada’s First Ever World Cup Victory
Canada edged closer to the knockout rounds after an emphatic 6-0 win over a nine-man Qatar side, marking their first ever World Cup victory. The historic triumph took place at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium, electrifying a crowd that included Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who donned a replica Canada jersey.
The Canadian lineup featured a hat-trick from Juventus striker Jonathan David, along with goals from Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba, and an own goal by Mohammad Manai. This dominant performance leaves Canada just a point away from topping Group B, needing only a draw against Switzerland to secure that spot.
"It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap," said Canada coach Jesse Marsch regarding midfielder Ismael Kone's serious left leg injury during the match. Kone was stretchered off after a harsh challenge from Qatar's Assim Madibo, who received a red card following an initial yellow. Kone is currently hospitalized and preparing for surgery.
Marsch added that Kone's injury is a significant loss, as he is considered the heart of the team.
Switzerland Revives World Cup Hopes
Switzerland got back on track with a strong 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. Johan Manzambi scored twice, while Ruben Vargas and Granit Xhaka also found the net in a late scoring spree.
This win keeps Swiss hopes alive for advancing beyond the round of 16 for the first time. Bosnia, having upset Italy in the qualifiers, now face a tough path forward with just one point from two games.
Other Notable Matches
In Atlanta, South Africa earned a crucial 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic, thanks to a late penalty by Teboho Mokoena. Michal Sadilek had put the Czechs ahead earlier in the match. Both teams remain in the running for the last 32 but will likely need victories in their final group matches to progress.
