Preparation key as Mexico close in on last-16 place

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio revealed his side put in more preparation for Saturday’s victory over South Korea than their shock opening win against Germany.

A 2-1 success over Group F rivals South Korea in Rostov all-but sealed safe passage into the knockout stages for Mexico.

Carlos Vela opened the scoring with a first-half penalty before Javier Hernandez struck his 50th international goal. Son Heung-min scored a last-gasp consolation.

The victory followed on from a 1-0 win over reigning world champions Germany in their opening fixture and means Mexico are set to advance to the round of 16 for the seventh straight World Cup.

While they would have been expected to beat their Asian rivals rather than springing a surprise in their first game, Osorio insists they put more work in to prepare for South Korea.

“I believe that we have played very well,” he said.

“We have had two good matches and I think we have devoted more attention to this match today than our match with Germany.

“Very often, sometimes when you play countries that have less of a footballing history, human beings tend to rest on their laurels a little bit and are too relaxed.”

South Korea remain without a point but coach Shin Tae-yong said: “Our players I think played a game that they will not regret.”