Mexico have become the first nation to secure their place in the last 32 of the World Cup, edging past South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara to advance from the group stage as tournament co-hosts.
The decisive moment arrived in the 50th minute when goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with team-mate Lee Gi-hyuk and spilled the ball, leaving Luis Romo to tap into an empty net. South Korea threatened to level in the 87th minute through Cho Gue-sung's close-range header, but Raul Rangel denied that effort and kept out Yang Hyun-jun's follow-up to preserve the clean sheet.
Kone's injury overshadows Canada's historic day
Fellow co-hosts Canada registered their first-ever World Cup finals victory, thrashing nine-man Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver — but the occasion was clouded by a serious-looking injury to midfielder Ismael Kone.
The incident occurred with Canada already leading 3-0 and holding a man advantage. A challenge between Qatar's Assim Omer Madibo and Kone halted play for an extended period before the Canadian was stretchered from the field. Madibo received a yellow card initially, which was upgraded to a red following a VAR review.
In an emotional scene, Canada manager Jesse Marsch was moved to tears on the touchline. Yet the watching supporters offered Kone a rousing chant, and the former Watford midfielder — inhaling painkillers on the stretcher — managed to sit up and wave to the crowd as he was carried around the perimeter of the pitch.
Canada are now strong favourites to advance to the knockout rounds, though Kone's absence would represent a significant blow to their ambitions beyond the last 32.
Switzerland storm back to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina
A chaotic closing 20 minutes in Switzerland's Group match saw them defeat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 and move to the brink of the knockout rounds. Substitute Johan Manzambi was the catalyst, converting a first-time volley in the penalty area in the 74th minute — just two minutes and 46 seconds after coming off the bench, on only his fourth touch of the ball. The 20-year-old then added a second from close range in the 90th minute after Ruben Vargas set him up.
Vargas had earlier scored himself with a curling finish into the bottom corner after Bosnia were reduced to 10 men, Tarik Muharemovic having received a straight red card for fouling Breel Embolo as he bore down on goal. Granit Xhaka then converted a penalty deep in injury time after Djibril Sow was tripped by Amar Memic.
Mokoena earns South Africa a point
South Africa held the Czech Republic to a 1-1 draw, with Teboho Mokoena converting a penalty in the 83rd minute to cancel out an early Czech goal.
South Africa fell behind as early as five minutes and seven seconds in — the tournament's earliest goal to that point — when Michal Sadilek capitalised on a clever lay-off to rifle home. But Thapelo Maseko's strike struck the arm of Pavel Sulc in the Czech box late on, and Mokoena stepped up to send his side level.
