Mexico vs South Korea
The mere mention of Mexico and South Korea takes me back to a time when I was just getting interested in the game.
The year was 1986 and the World Cup 2026 was being staged in the South America country for the second time in 16 years.
Yours truly was captivated.
In fact, I can still recall asking my dad to record (on our new Betamax video) an England group game so I could watch when I woke up (being in South America, the tournament kick-off times weren’t always suitable for a nine year-old boy).
Fast forward 39 years and this SBOTOP scribe still smiles at the mention of these two nations who I have followed, from a distance, ever since that tournament.
Before you ask, Korea didn’t make it out of a tough looking group comprising holders Italy, eventual winners Argentina and Bulgaria, whereas Mexico reached the quarter-finals where they were narrowly beaten in a penalty shoot-out by Germany.
With both nations already assured of their place at next summer’s World Cup (Mexico as one of the host nations) too, they can afford to experiment, as they surely will, in this international friendly in Nashville.
Talking Points
Korea are on something of a high and, a few months ago, qualified for an 11th successive World Cup (remember Spy Row in 2018), a record which actually stretches back to Mexico 86.
It’s a mark that’s only been bettered by Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina and Spain.
They come into the contest off the back of a good 2-0 win over the US on Saturday too, secured by the captain and icon that is Son Heung-Min and Lee Dong-gyeong.
He may be passed his peak but Korea, and their head coach Hong Myung-bo – who has been under heavy criticism for recent stale performances – can always rely on Son (now of Taeguk Warriors).
The newly signed LAFC man made it clear that he remains a difference maker and netted the opening goal in the 18th minute in what was a crystal clear example of both US disjointedness and South Korean verve.
The US, of course, are managed by Mauricio Pochettino with whom Son enjoyed such a fruitful relationship at Spurs.
Mexico fans have a fondness for Korea as the Asian’s shock victory over defending world champions Germany at the 2018 World Cup meant they qualified for the knockout stages.
On that occasion, large crowds celebrated Mexico’s progression at the South Korean embassy in Mexico City, chanting that Koreans were their “brothers”.
Images of hybrid South Korea-Mexico flags, tweeted statements of friendship and gratitude, and even vows from fans to begin listening to K-Pop were posted online by droves of Mexico supporters.
All that considered, don’t be surprised if there is a special atmosphere inside the ground between these two sets of supporters, especially with the pressure off ahead of next summer.
As for international friendly 2025 highlights, Mexico had to settle for a goalless draw against Japan over the weekend but that will hardly concern them.
They have won back-to-back Gold Cups, seeing off the States in July, two years after their triumph over Panama.
El Tri also won the Concacaf Nations League with Javier Aguirre making a positive impact since his arrival.
History
Mexico have defeated South Korea on eight occasions. The Koreans have four victories themselves and there has been one draw.
They have twice met on the highest stage of all and the most recent, at the 2018 World Cup, saw the South Americans emerge 2-1 winners as Javier Hernández became the first player to score 50 goals in international games for his country.
His goal midway through the second half doubled the advantage given to them via a first half Carlos Vela penalty and proved to be the winner before Son Heung-Min pulled one back in stoppage time.
They also met at the group stages of the 1998 World Cup in France when, again, Mexico ran out winners.
The scorers in their 3-1 success were Ricardo Pelaez and Luis Hernandez (two) after Ha Seok-Ju had given Korea a first half lead.
Mexico have won their last three meetings, the most recent of which was a friendly in Austria almost five years ago when Raúl Jiménez, Uriel Antuna and Carlos Salcedo scored three quickfire goals to earn them a 3-2 win.
Korea won their very first clash, again a friendly, in 1980 when Kim Kang-nam scored the only goal in Los Angeles.
Betting Tip
At the time of writing, our international friendly 2025 betting odds have not been posted but be sure to come back and place a bet or two on what should be a compelling encounter.
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