Dubai: The nippy Mexicans did not take their feet off the pedal as they swept aside South Korea 2-1 in their Group F match at Rostov-on-Don and edge closer to a round round spot in Russia 2018 on Saturday.
Veteran Javier Hernandez scored with a clinical finish in the second half for his 50th goal for the country after Carlos Vela converted a penalty to put Mexico up in the 26th minute.
The referee awarded the penalty after a sliding Jang Hyun-soo handled the ball while trying to stop a cross from Andres Guardado on the left side. Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo stalled for time to freeze Vela but the forward coolly knocked it into the right side of the goal as the ‘keeper went left.
Miguel Layun nearly doubled the lead moments later but his 20-yard drive went over the bar.
The South Americans, who had shocked holders Germany to set the tournament alight last week, started with the same tempo - forcing the Asians to go for lunging tackles near their penalty area.
Guadardo was brought down early on less than 10 metres outside the penalty box which resulted in a freekick but did not yield any result.
Mexico made it 2-0 in the 66th minute after Hirving Lozano, the hero of the Germany game, sprinted forward and found Hernandez, famous as “Chicharito,” who skipped past defenders and hit the ball low past goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.
The goal came somewhat against the run of play as South Korea had been pressuring the Mexican end looking for an equalizer. The Koreans were finally rewarded for an improved display when their young striker Son Heung-Min curled a left-footer deep into injury time past a somewhat unsighted goalkeeper Ochoa.
Mexican coach Juan Carlos Orosio has made only one change to his line-up for the game, keeping faith with players who combined to beat Germany in their Group F opener. Defender Edson Alvarez replaced Hugo Ayala at the back.
South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong stuck to his attacking line up but shook up his midfield with Ju Se-jong and Moon Seon-min coming in for Park Joo-ho and Koo Ja-cheol.
