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[Awards Review]
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▶ Five memorable Mexico and Korea Republic bouts
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[2026/01/18 ]
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Mexico and Korea Republic are set to do battle at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with the pair locking horns at the midway point of Group A.
Here, we've looked back on five memorable encounters between these two World Cup hopefuls.
- Korea Republic 1-3 Mexico – 1998 FIFA World Cup™
Date: 13 June 1998 (Group E)
Venue: Stade de Gerland (Lyon, France)
Attendance: 39,100
Scorers: Ha Seokju (27); Ricardo Pelaez (50), Luis Hernandez (75, 84)
 Korea Republic entered their France 1998 opener aiming for a first-ever World Cup win, and looked well on their way to achieving that when Ha Seokju’s free-kick deflected off the wall and into the net just before the half hour.
However, just three minutes later, Ha was sent off for a reckless tackle from behind on Ramon Ramirez. Mexico went on to equalise thanks to Ricardo Pelaez, who came off the bench five minutes into the second half, before serial goal-getter Luis Hernandez netted twice in the final 15 minutes to complete a dramatic comeback.
Trivia
Ha’s red card came under newly tightened IFAB rules introduced in 1998, which classified tackles from behind that threaten an opponent's safety as serious foul play.
Mexico's midfield star Cuauhtemoc Blanco pulled out his famous 'Cuauhtemiña' in this match. When faced by two Korean players, he put the ball between his legs and bunny hopped between the pair of them.
- Korea Republic 2-1 Mexico - FIFA Confederations Cup 2001
Date: 1 June 2001 (Group A)
Venue: Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, (Ulsan, South Korea)
Attendance: 41,550
Scorers: Hwang Sunhong (56), Yoo Sangchul (90); Victor Ruiz (81)
Korea Republic coach Guus Hiddink was rebuilding the team around younger players such as Park Jisung and Lee Youngpyo, but retained a veteran spine with Hong Myungbo, Yoo Sangchul and Hwang Sunhong.
Hwang opened the scoring in this one shortly after half-time, but the AFC giants were pegged back by a late equaliser from substitute Victor Ruiz. However, the late Yoo Sangchul, who played the full match despite a broken nose, displayed indomitable spirit by heading home a last-minute winner from a corner and sealing a historic victory.
Trivia
At the time, Park Jisung was playing in Japan’s second division. Soon after, he would play a starring role in the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ and earned a move to Dutch giants PSV, before signing for Manchester United.
Korea’s captain that day was Hong Myungbo. He now serves as the national team's head coach.
- Mexico 0-0 Korea Republic (PSO 2-4) - Concacaf Gold Cup 2002
Date: 27 January 2002 (Quarter-final)
Venue: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, USA)
Attendance: 31,628
Competing as guests in the tournament, Korea Republic faced mounting pressure after losing to USA in the group stage and drawing with Cuba.
Against Mexico in the quarter-finals, they were outplayed in the first half, but managed to turn the tide in the second through relentless running from Park Jisung and Lee Youngpyo.
The match went to penalties, where Korea Republic prevailed 4-2, with Youngpyo’s emphatic celebration after converting the decisive kick remaining etched in fans’ memories.
Trivia
Korea Republic became the first Asian nation to compete in the Gold Cup with their participations in 2000 and 2002. More recently, guest teams in the tournament have included Qatar (2021, 2023) and Saudi Arabia (2025).
At the time, Mexico were coached by Javier Aguirre, who will face Korea Republic again as Mexico boss at World Cup 2026.
- Korea Republic 1-2 Mexico - 2018 FIFA World Cup™
Date: 23 June 2018 (Group F)
Venue: Rostov Arena (Rostov-on-Don, Russia)
Attendance: 43,472
Scorers: Son Heungmin (90); Carlos Vela (26 pen), Javier Hernandez (66)
Mexico took the lead through Carlos Vela’s penalty 26 minutes into the match, and went on to double their advantage in the 66th minute, when Korea's captain Ki Sungyueng lost possession in midfield, paving the way for Javier Hernandez to find the back of the net.
Korea managed to pull one back in the dying minutes of the game, when Son Heungmin drove the ball in from the right, curling a stunning strike into the top corner, but it was too late to change the outcome.
Korea Republic v Mexico | Group F | 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ | Highlights
Watch the highlights from the match between Korea Republic and Mexico played at Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don on Saturday, 23 June 2018.
Trivia
Despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to Sweden in their final group-stage match, Mexico advanced to the Round of 16 thanks to Korea Republic's shock 2-0 victory over defending champions Germany — secured by an iconic Son Heungmin goal.
Hernandez's goal against Korea Republic was the fourth World Cup strike of his career, bringing him level with Luis Hernndez as Mexico’s all-time top scorer at the finals.
- Mexico 2-2 Korea - 2025 Friendly
Date: 9 September 2025
Venue: Geodis Park (Nashville, USA)
Attendance: 27,604
Scorers: Raul Jimenez (22), Santiago Gimenez (90+4); Son Heungmin (65), Oh Hyeongyu (75)
Nothing could separate this pair in their most recent meeting. Raul Jimenez opened the scoring in the with a trademark header, but goals from Son Heungmin and Oh Hyungyu turned the game around for Korea Republic. Mexico appeared to be headed for defeat, until Santiago Gimenez controlled and curled an unstoppable effort into the far corner with just two minutes of stoppage time remaining.
Trivia
Lee Kangin developed a close relationship with Mexico coach Javier Aguirre during his time at Mallorca. Ahead of the match, Aguirre expressed his affection for Lee, referring to him as “a player like my own son."
Mexico hold the advantage in the all-time record between the two teams, with eight wins and three draws from 15 matches.
- The origianl text resource is from FIFA Official Website |
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