Mexico’s Luis Romo celebrates scoring their first aim with teammates. Photograph: REUTERS
LOS ANGELES:
Mexico grew to become the primary group to succeed in the knockout spherical of the World Cup on Thursday after a 1-0 victory over South Korea whereas Canada edged nearer to the final 32 after thrashing Qatar.
A howler from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu gifted a aim to Mexico’s Luis Romo and proved decisive as ‘El Tri’ held on to win a tense battle in Guadalajara.
The victory means Mexico are assured to complete in high spot in Group A with a recreation to spare following South Africa’s 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic earlier Thursday.
Ending high retains Mexico at dwelling within the final 32 with a recreation in opposition to a third-placed group in Mexico Metropolis.
South Korea are second on three factors, with the Czech Republic and South Africa additionally nonetheless alive on one.
In different video games on Thursday, Canada moved to the brink of the final 32 after overwhelming nine-man Qatar 6-0 to safe their first ever World Cup victory in Group B.
Switzerland, additionally in Group B, reignited their marketing campaign with a powerful defeat of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Los Angeles.
Damage horror
Event co-hosts Canada had misplaced all six of their earlier matches on the World Cup, on the 1986 and 2022 finals, however introduced that run of losses to a halt in spectacular style at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium.
With Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — sporting a reproduction Canada shirt — amongst a fired-up crowd, Jesse Marsch’s aspect ran riot to safe a win that leaves them needing solely some extent in opposition to Switzerland to complete high of Group B.
A hat-trick from Juventus striker Jonathan David, one aim apiece from Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba, and a Mohammad Manai personal aim sealed Canada’s win.
The victory was marred although by a critical left leg harm to midfielder Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off after being clumsily upended by Qatar’s Assim Madibo within the 51st minute.
Madibo was initially proven a yellow card for the problem which was subsequently upgraded to pink. The stricken Kone was given oxygen as he was carried off the sector, waving to followers.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch revealed afterwards Kone was being handled in hospital for a suspected damaged leg, including that his workers had understood the severity of the harm instantly.
“It was proper in entrance of us, and everybody might hear the bone snap,” Marsch mentioned. “I have never spoken to Ismael but, however he is on the hospital. He’ll put together for a surgical procedure.
“All people’s slightly shaken by the entire expertise due to the character of the harm, and likewise as a result of Ismael is a giant a part of the guts of our group. It is going to be a giant loss for us.”
Switzerland on monitor
Earlier, Switzerland acquired their marketing campaign again on monitor with a 4-1 drubbing of Bosnia-Herzegovina on the SoFi Stadium.
Johan Manzambi scored twice whereas Ruben Vargas and Granit Xhaka had been on the right track in a late flurry of targets for the Swiss, who’re dreaming of advancing past the final 16 for the primary time at this World Cup.
Bosnia, who upset Italy in a playoff to succeed in this yr’s match, are nearing an early exit after a loss that leaves them with one level from two video games.
In different video games on Thursday, South Africa resurrected their slender qualification hopes with a 1-1 draw in opposition to the Czech Republic in Atlanta.
Teboho Mokoena’s penalty earned some extent for South Africa after Michal Sadilek opened the scoring for the Czechs.
However Mokoena’s late spot-kick stored each groups within the hunt for the final 32, though they are going to virtually definitely must win their closing Group A fixture to advance.
