Little Pea fires surprise side to victory
South Korea 1 Son 90
Mexico 2 Vela 26 pen, Hernandez 66
Att: 43,472
Javier Hernandez scored his 50th international goal as Mexico built on the momentum from their stunning victory over Germany by overpowering South Korea yesterday to take a giant step towards the last 16.
Carlos Vela put them ahead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute at the Rostov Arena, which had been taken over by Mexico’s fanatical supporters.
All-time top scorer Hernandez sealed victory in the second half, finishing off an excellent counter-attack inspired by Hirving Lozano. It was Hernandez’s fourth strike at a World Cup, taking him level with Luis Hernandez as Mexico’s leading scorer in the tournament.
South Korea’s talismanic forward Son Heung-min struck a scorching consolation goal in stoppage time from outside the area.
The Koreans have no points after two matches and have only won one of their past 11 World Cup fixtures.
“We came to Russia with a lot of criticism but we’re working hard and have a lot of talent. We have humility but we beat Germany and South Korea and now we have to play against Sweden and stay cool,” Hernandez said.
“We cannot afford to get caught up in all this, we have to continue our job and stay humble, of course we should enjoy this but tomorrow we start working again.”
As the game kicked off the hordes of Mexico fans sang “We are the home team” and it was hard to disagree. Conditioned by the dry heat that has been a feature of every game at the Rostov Arena, Mexico did not quite have the same thrust and energy as against Germany although they still controlled most of the play and looked far more dangerous.
South Korea improved on their opening defeat by Sweden although their main tactic consisted of searching for Son with long balls.
The closest they came to scoring in the first half was with a header from a corner which Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa tipped over the bar.
Mexico’s breakthrough came when captain Andres Guardado’s cross was blocked by a stray arm from Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo, and Vela kept
his nerve from the spot, sending goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo the wrong way and stroking the ball home.
The spot kick means more penalties have been awarded in Russia than in the entire 2014 tournament. This is partly due to the video assistant referee, with six penalties given after video reviews, although technology was not required here.
Lozano proved a constant threat to the Koreans whenever he came darting down either wing, blasting over in the first half and later having a goalbound shot blocked by Ki Sung-yueng.
His remarkable pace punished Korea, catching them out on the break, allowing Hernandez to finish them off, beating a defender with a flick of his left foot and tucking the ball into the net with his right. The only concern for Mexico will be their defence, which again looked capable of shipping goals against more potent attacks than Korea’s.
Mexico could face Serbia, Switzerland or Brazil in the last 16, with the prospect of a tie against Belgium or England in the quarter-finals.
South Korea Cho (Daegu), Lee Yong (Jeonbuk), Jang (FC Tokyo), Kim Young-gwon (Guangzhou), Kim Min-woo (Sangju), Moon (Incheon), Ju (Asan), Ki (Swansea), Hwang (Salzburg), Lee Jae-Sung (Jeonbuk), Son (Tottenham). Subs Lee Seung-woo (Hellas Verona) for Ju 64, Hong (Sangju) for Kim Min-woo 84, Jung (Vissel Kobe) for Moon 77. Booked Lee Yong, Kim Young-gwon, Lee Seung-woo, Jung. Mexico Ochoa (Standard Liege), Alvarez (America), Salcedo (Frankfurt), Moreno (Real Sociedad), Gallardo (Pumas), Layun (Sevilla), Herrera (Porto), Guardado (Real Betis), Vela (Los Angeles), Hernandez (West Ham), Lozano (PSV). Subs Marquez (Atlas) for Guardado 68, Dos Santos (LA Galaxy) for Vela 77, Corona (Porto) for Lozano 71. Referee Milorad Manzic (Serbia).