Mexico vs South Korea
Co-hosts Mexico are back in action on Thursday night when they aim to pick up a second win in their first two games when World Cup 2026: Mexico vs South Korea kicks off at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara.
El Tri kicked off with an impressive 2-0 victory over South Africa, while the Koreans too started with a win, edging a three-goal tussle against the Czech Republic. And, with both nations in a very strong position to qualify for the Round of 32 already, the early pressure has been relieved. But Javier Aguirre’s Mexico have that home advantage and will be determined to make it count, as they try to gather momentum for an assault on the latter stages of the tournament which they are well capable of.
Without that home edge Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea are dark horses with a slimmer chance, and the Mexico vs South Korea betting odds say Aguirre’s side should win this tussle but, while there have been some one-sided matches on show already this will not be one of them.
Talking Points
El Tri’s task is to channel their passion
The tears in Raul Jimenez’ eyes when he scored his brilliant header to put the game against South Africa beyond doubt told us all we need to know about the passion in this Mexico team, and just how much success on their home soil means to the players. El Tri have an outstanding record in their home country and have reached the last eight on both the previous World Cups played in Mexico. Their fans are phenomenal, living and breathing football which is maybe an advantage they have over co-hosts Canada and the USA.
But the players need to keep their heads and channel that passion.
Goals from Al Qadsiah striker Julian Quiniones and Jimenez sank the Bafana Bafana with some ease, and both strikers were denied further strikes by South Africa’s excellent keeper Ronwen Williams and the woodwork, while 22 year old attacking midfielder Brian Guttierez was a lively customer. There will be a change at the back though as defensive rock Cesar Montes picked up a late red card and we will probably see Edson Alvarez slot in to pick up the captain’s armband and his 101st cap.
Son can shine for South Korea
Korea launched a second half fightback to beat the Czechs and the star of the show was Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom who scored a goal and set up the other to complete an impressive opening victory. After a quiet first half the Czechs took the lead on the hour but Hwang turned the game on its head with a clever strike on 67, followed by a cross for Oh Hyeon-gyu to win it with ten minutes remaining.
Korea talisman Son Heung-min, now 33, signed for Los Angeles FC last summer and he’ll hope to play in front of his new legion of fans in the USA as the competition unfolds. And he showed his quality in a classy performance against the Czechs. Son almost opened the scoring with a long range effort late in the first half and came close again early in the second period. He is competing in his fourth World Cup finals and the former Tottenham Hotspur man is the Taegeuk Warriors’ most capped player with 156 appearances and Son is his nation’s second top scorer of all time, with 56. There’s still more to come from a player who possesses scintillating ball skills and searing pace.
Look out too for Paris Saint Germain’s, Lee Kang-in who plays on the right and may be the natural successor to Son as South Korea’s attacking champion in future years. For now, Lee and his team-mates can learn from the master.
History
Mexico are in their 18th finals and are yet to break into the last four, falling at the quarter finals stage in both 1970 and 1986, while South Korea have been at the World Cup finals 12 times and reached the semi-final stage when they were hosts back in 2002.
El Tri have had the better of the head-to-head Mexico vs South Korea results, winning four of the previous six meetings, while Korea have won one, and when the two nations met in a friendly in September last year, they played out a 2-2 draw.
These are two teams in fine form, Mexico winning their last four while South Korea have won three and lost one of their last four outings.
Betting Tip
Only nine places separate these two nations in the updated FIFA World Rankings, with Mexico at 13th and the Koreans at 22nd but El Tri are odds on favourites to win this clash in front of their fans. The underdogs are at SBOTOP odds of 4.00 and the Draw is at 3.30, while the Double Chance; Korea or Draw is priced at 1.85. The most likely scoreline is 1-0 to Mexico at odds of 5.95 and I think that may well be on the money.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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