Mexico have put in a commanding display, controlling their contest against South Korea from the outset to take a 2-1 victory in Rostov.
The Central American nation, who shocked the footballing world with a victory over Germany in their tournament opener, continued their good form in this one.
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They controlled where the game was going to be played, ensuring the South Koreans spent plenty of time under pressure in defence.
While South Korea came out aggressive in defence, the tactic backfired on them, with four yellow cards and a staggering 24 free kicks across the course of the contest.
It continued to level the pressure on the Asian nation, with the first score of the match coming through Carlos Vela in the 26th minute as he slotted a penalty after a handball in the box.
Mexico kept pushing for goals, but couldn’t find another before halftime, even with the dominance of their midfield.
South Korea started the second half with a renewed focus and gameplan, going up the middle of the field, but still couldn’t crack Mexico, despite the best efforts of Son Heung-min.
It was Javier Hernandez who sunk the South Koreans though, scoring a wonderful goal in the 66th minute.
While the Asian nation couldn’t get back on top of the contest, which got more and more sloppy as it approached the last quarter of an hour, they did have one bright spot as Heung-min kicked a wonder goal in injury time, giving his side a flicker of hope.
It will go down as one of the goals of the tournament, but in a losing effort, it means South Korea sit plastered to the bottom of their group with zero points from two games and next to zero chance of qualification to the Round of 16.
Mexico, on the other hand, have virtually booked their ticket to the Round of 16 and will now eagerly await the result of Sweden and Germany to find out exactly what they need to do in their final group game.
marron
Guest
However, if the results are 2-1 apiece, the we go to fair play between Mexico and Germany.
marron
Guest
I had another think about this and if you look at the tie-breaker rules carefully, before the fair play comes into effect, there are the following three tests: 1. Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned 2. Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned 3. Greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned That "between the teams concerned' is pretty important. What it says is to discount the results against teams NOT concerned. In this case, that's South Korea. You end up with a table between the three teams (Germany, Sweden, Mexico), all with the same points and the same Goal Difference..... but in this scenario, Mexico will have scored one less goal against the "other teams concerned" than Sweden or Germany, meaning they will miss out on progression to the next round. Someone correct me if I'm wrong!
marron
Guest
And Germany have a red card.... " (yellow cards = -1, indirect red card (as a result of a second yellow card) = -3, direct red card = -4, yellow card and direct red = -5, with only one of the deductions applied to a player in a single game)"
User
Roar Rookie
If committing fouls were the measure of a winning side ROK had this match covered. Great strike by son possibly goal of tournament thus far.
Waz
Roar Rookie
The proposal is there won’t be any drawn group games which might help or might make it all worse. Penalties will be used in every game to force a result leaving us with the possibility everyone has won one game, possibly all on penalties lol.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
The red card for Germany will be costly But I expect Germany will smash Korea by 3 goals And I can see Sweden sneaking a 1-0 win over Mexico
Cantab
Guest
IF Germany 1-0 SK Sweden 1-0 Mexico. Then you have 3 teams on 6 points with exactly the same For, Against and PD. So you would be looking at fair play rules.
jamesb
Guest
Can't wait for the 2026 world cup when there are groups comprising of just three teams. It's complicated now with four team groups, can you imagine with three team groups?
Waz
Roar Rookie
Thanks, so the result between the two sides now comes third after goal difference and goals scored (which is how it used to be, why do organisations like FIFA insist on tweaking rules just for the sake of it?).
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
As I said the other day, the tiebreaker rules have changed for this World Cup. The following (in order) separate teams in such an event: 1. Goal difference 2. Goals scored 3. Head-to-head 4. Points obtained in group games between the teams concerned 5. Goal difference from games involving teams concerned 6. Number of goals scored in games between teams concerned 7. Fair play rules 8. Drawing of lots https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/tie-breakers-for-russia-2018-groups Technically, it's possible for South Korea to progress, but it would take a miracle.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
This is not true. Read below.
Waz
Roar Rookie
That raises one of the conundrums of the final table: if three sides finish on equal points and they’ve all beaten a different team, how are placings then determined? Image Mexico 6 points Germany 6 Sweden 6 Mexico beat Germany so must finish above. Germany beat Sweden so must finish above. Sweden beats Mexico so must finish above. Does it revert to something else?
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Mexico can still miss out if they lose to Sweden
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Korea have been very disappointing
Waz
Roar Rookie
South Korea have lost to both Mexico and Sweden meaning they can’t now finish above those two teams even if they beat the Germans 10-0. The final table position when teams points are equal is determined by the result between the two sides in their match, not goal difference. South Korea are kaput
tim
Guest
The headline is wrong. If Mexico beat Sweden, South Korea would go through if they won by 2 goals against Germany. Stranger things have happened.