Amid scorching heat in Rostov and a cauldron-like atmosphere created by almost 20,000 fans, Mexico beat Korea Republic 2-1 in Group F to put one foot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ knockout stage.

El Tri initially struggled to break down the Koreans, who set up in a defensive tactical shape and left the livewire Son Heungmin to plough a lone furrow up front. However, after Carlos Vela's 26th-minute penalty had broken the deadlock, the Mexicans were able to breathe easier and better guard themselves against counter attacks thereafter. Even so, Guillermo Ochoa was called into action to prevent Son from equalising shortly before half-time.

The Taeguk Warriors were forced to come out of their shell and push forward as the match wore on, but this more open approach suited Mexico down to the ground, paving the way for them to double their lead. El Tri fans in Rostov Arena were in full voice after Javier Hernandez struck in the 66th minute and will have gone away with high hopes that their country will finally break their Round of 16 hoodoo this year.

As for Korea Republic, Son's stoppage-time screamer from outside the box will have served as scant consolation given that the result left them staring elimination in the face.

Team reporter analysis Martin Langer with Mexico [Follow: Twitter | Facebook] It was a deserved win for Mexico against Korea Republic, who were well organised and looked threatening when they managed to break. El Tri showed patience and got their reward from two fine pieces of play. The second goal was particularly noteworthy, seeing as it was almost a carbon copy of Mexico's strike against Germany: a textbook counter attack but with the roles reversed, Lozano turning provider for Hernandez.

Hounche Chung with Korea Republic [Follow: Twitter | Facebook] The team struggled to get into their groove throughout the game and hardly carved out any openings after going behind. It is fair to say that they never recovered from the penalty and that Son's goal was too little, too late. France 1998 was the last time Korea Republic were knocked out after the first two group-stage matches, but that is now a distinct possibility.

Budweiser Man of the Match It proved a milestone occasion in more ways than one for Javier Hernandez. The poacher not only became the first player to score 50 times for El Tri, he also equalled his namesake Luis Hernandez's record of four World Cup goals in a Mexico shirt and matched Rafael Marquez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco's feat of finding the net at three editions of the tournament.

The stat 288 – Korea Republic's toothlessness is exemplified by the fact that, before Son's stunner, they had gone 288 minutes without scoring at the World Cup, their longest ever such drought.

What's next Korea Republic v Germany, 27 June, Kazan Mexico v Sweden, 27 June, Ekaterinburg

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