HAVING both won their opening games, Mexico and South Korea are set to battle it out in pursuit of Group A supremacy in Guadalajara.

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Mexico vs South Korea preview

Both teams were full value for their wins in the first round of group games.

Mexico comprehensively outplayed South Africa in the tournament’s curtain-raiser with goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez ensuring a 2-0 win in front of a partisan home crowd.

The former finished the club season as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League, edging out Ivan Toney and Cristiano Ronaldo, and seems to be brimming with confidence.

Javier Aguirre’s side restricted their opponents to three shots (for a combined xG of just 0.07) — South Africa only registered two touches in the opposition box.

However, it wasn’t quite a perfect start for the co-hosts as centre-back Cesar Montes was sent off in stoppage time for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

Consequently, Mexico will be without their suspended vice-captain when they face South Korea.

As for Hong Myung-bo’s troops, they looked vulnerable at set-pieces against Czechia but a class above in open play, particularly in midfield.

Feyenoord’s Hwang In-beom ran the show in the middle of the park and capped his performance with a composed dink for his side’s equaliser.

And the twin No10s of Lee Jae-sung and PSG’s Lee Kang-in caused all sorts of problems for the European outfit.

However, the spotlight is very much on Son Heung-min right now.

Korea’s captain was not short of chances against Czechia but he didn’t get any of his six shots right on the night.

For years Son was among the Premier League’s best finishers, as evidenced by his xG stats during his time with Spurs, but his shooting boots have been missing for a while.

Prior to this tournament, he failed to score in 13 MLS appearances for Los Angeles FC — although he is the league’s top assist provider this season.

Supporters will be praying their superstar No7 rediscovers his mojo in Guadalajara but it has been widely noted that Oh Hyeon-gyu, the forward who replaced Son in the 69th minute, ended up scoring the winner against Czechia.

This is a relatively even match-up on paper with the two teams ranked 13th and 21st in the world respectively but Mexico are very difficult to beat on home soil.

Mexico vs South Korea odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Tip: BTTS

At the risk of tempting fate, this should be an entertaining contest.

Mexico and South Korea’s last meeting was relatively recent (September 2025) and it ended in a 2-2 draw thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Santiago Gimenez.

Both teams registered 15+ shots in their opening fixtures and enjoyed approximately 60% of possession.

A point would be an agreeable outcome for both sides but top spot in the group should ensure a more favourable knockout tie in the round of 32 so motivation won’t be an issue, not forgetting what should be a stirring atmosphere.

Clean sheets seem unlikely, especially with the hosts down a first-choice defender.

First goalscorer and correct score prediction

Mexico v South Korea

  • First goalscorer: Julian Quinones at 13/2 with Paddy Power

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Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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