Mexico close in on last 16 with South Korea win

Carlos Vela's penalty and a superbly-taken breakaway goal by Javier Hernandez gave Mexico a 2-1 World Cup Group F win over South Korea on Saturday which put them on the brink of a place in the last 16.

#MEX WIN!

A goal in each half maintains @miseleccionmx's 100% record! #KORMEX 1-2 pic.twitter.com/lNEleHQMby

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 23, 2018

Mexico, shock winners over Germany in their opening game, went ahead in the 26th minute when Vela sent goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo the wrong way from the spot after Andres Guardado's cross hit the outstretched arm of Jang Hyun-soo at close range.

Hernandez added the second in the 66th minute, cutting inside his marker before guiding the ball home to finish off a lightning counter-attack after Mexico won the ball deep in their own half. Son Heung-min pulled one back for South Korea in stoppage time with a spectacular left-foot strike from outside the area.

A giant step towards qualifying for the knock-outs! #KORMEX #MEX #MEX #MEX pic.twitter.com/KMA6r2q366

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 23, 2018

Mexico lead with six points from two games while South Korea have lost both matches and have only a remote mathematical chance of progressing. Germany (no points) face Sweden (three) later on Saturday.

Mexico get their second win of the World Cup against South Korea! (via @ESPNFC) pic.twitter.com/WYf7uCCSK5

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 23, 2018