Mexico and Korea Republic are set to do battle at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with the pair locking horns at the midway point of Group A.
Here, we’ve looked back on five memorable encounters between these two World Cup hopefuls.
Korea Republic 1-3 Mexico – 1998 FIFA World Cup™
Date: 13 June 1998 (Group E)
Venue: Stade de Gerland (Lyon, France)
Attendance: 39,100
Scorers: Ha Seokju (27); Ricardo Pelaez (50), Luis Hernandez (75, 84)
Korea Republic entered their France 1998 opener aiming for a first-ever World Cup win, and looked well on their way to achieving that when Ha Seokju’s free-kick deflected off the wall and into the net just before the half hour.
However, just three minutes later, Ha was sent off for a reckless tackle from behind on Ramon Ramirez. Mexico went on to equalise thanks to Ricardo Pelaez, who came off the bench five minutes into the second half, before serial goal-getter Luis Hernandez netted twice in the final 15 minutes to complete a dramatic comeback.
Trivia
Korea Republic 2-1 Mexico – FIFA Confederations Cup 2001
Date: 1 June 2001 (Group A)
Venue: Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, (Ulsan, South Korea)
Attendance: 41,550
Scorers: Hwang Sunhong (56), Yoo Sangchul (90); Victor Ruiz (81)
Korea Republic coach Guus Hiddink was rebuilding the team around younger players such as Park Jisung and Lee Youngpyo, but retained a veteran spine with Hong Myungbo, Yoo Sangchul and Hwang Sunhong.
Hwang opened the scoring in this one shortly after half-time, but the AFC giants were pegged back by a late equaliser from substitute Victor Ruiz. However, the late Yoo Sangchul, who played the full match despite a broken nose, displayed indomitable spirit by heading home a last-minute winner from a corner and sealing a historic victory.
Trivia
Mexico 0-0 Korea Republic (PSO 2-4) – Concacaf Gold Cup 2002
Date: 27 January 2002 (Quarter-final)
Venue: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, USA)
Attendance: 31,628
Competing as guests in the tournament, Korea Republic faced mounting pressure after losing to USA in the group stage and drawing with Cuba.
Against Mexico in the quarter-finals, they were outplayed in the first half, but managed to turn the tide in the second through relentless running from Park Jisung and Lee Youngpyo.
The match went to penalties, where Korea Republic prevailed 4-2, with Youngpyo’s emphatic celebration after converting the decisive kick remaining etched in fans’ memories.
Trivia
Korea Republic 1-2 Mexico – 2018 FIFA World Cup™
Date: 23 June 2018 (Group F)
Venue: Rostov Arena (Rostov-on-Don, Russia)
Attendance: 43,472
Scorers: Son Heungmin (90); Carlos Vela (26 pen), Javier Hernandez (66)
Mexico took the lead through Carlos Vela’s penalty 26 minutes into the match, and went on to double their advantage in the 66th minute, when Korea’s captain Ki Sungyueng lost possession in midfield, paving the way for Javier Hernandez to find the back of the net.
Korea managed to pull one back in the dying minutes of the game, when Son Heungmin drove the ball in from the right, curling a stunning strike into the top corner, but it was too late to change the outcome.
Trivia
Mexico 2-2 Korea – 2025 Friendly
Date: 9 September 2025
Venue: Geodis Park (Nashville, USA)
Attendance: 27,604
Scorers: Raul Jimenez (22), Santiago Gimenez (90+4); Son Heungmin (65), Oh Hyeongyu (75)
Nothing could separate this pair in their most recent meeting. Raul Jimenez opened the scoring in the with a trademark header, but goals from Son Heungmin and Oh Hyungyu turned the game around for Korea Republic. Mexico appeared to be headed for defeat, until Santiago Gimenez controlled and curled an unstoppable effort into the far corner with just two minutes of stoppage time remaining.
