2026 FIFA World Cup: Dramatic Day Sees South Africa Draw, Mexico Win, Canada Triumph

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We'll wrap things up here

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By Simon Smale

So, another dramatic day of football at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In Group A, South Africa managed a draw against Czechia, who led from the sixth minute of the game, with Bafana Bafana only scoring seven minutes from time to level at 1-1.

Then Mexico played out a dire 1-0 win over South Korea, although they won't care how bad it was, only that they won.

In Group B, Switzerland got a win to go with their first up draw, leaving it late to power past Bosnia Herzegovina 4-1.

And in Vancouver there was a massive win for Canada that came with an enormous cost to Ismaël Koné, who will play no further part at this World Cup after having his leg broken in a tackle that soured an otherwise spectacular day for Canada, who won their first ever World Cup match and became the first team outside of Europe or South America to score six in a single game at a World Cup finals.

We'll be back tomorrow for a big game in Group D, when the Socceroos take on the USA in Seattle.

That game kicks off at 5:00am AEST (4:30am ACST, 3:00am AWST) so make sure you join us then.

Group B

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By Simon Smale

Here's how Group B looks after that group got through its opening two games as well, with Canada in control.

Group A

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By Simon Smale

Here's how Group A looks after two match days.

FT: Mexico wins and progresses to the round of 32!

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By Simon Smale

Mexico are the first team to qualify for the round of 32, labouring to a nervy 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara.

A fortuitous goal scored by Luis Romo when Korean keeper Kim Seung-gyu fumbled the ball into his path was befitting a dire display where neither side truly played to their potential in a match remarkably low in quality.

After a sorry first half with just a single shot on target, Mexico came out after the break with a modicum of inventiveness and desire to faintly deserve their opener.

South Korea didn't manage a single shot on target until the closing moments, but should have levelled.

Cho Gue-sung sent a header straight at Raúl Rangel, who recovered superbly to recover the ball, before Lee Han-beom headed wide from a corner in injury time - the first corner for either side in the game.

Mexico will care little how they got there though, with the reward of a last 32 game at the Azteca waiting for the winners of Group A, with El Tri firmly in the box seat to secure that.

90+6' Mexico chance

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By Simon Smale

Incredible.

Korea try to pump another ball into the box.

But then there's a counter attack, Vargas racing towards the Korean box.

The defence gets back but that should be enough.

90+3' CHANCE KOREA!

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By Simon Smale

Cho Gue-sung gets on the end of yet another cross but Johan Vásquez gets in the way.

As Korea built up play there was all sorts going on at the edge of the penalty area - Korean and Mexican players tangling way off the ball.

If I were a suspicious man I'd suggest that some sort of tomfoolery to try and earn an unwarranted free kick was taking place by the hosts, especially as they cannot time waste in the traditional sense given the count down at throw ins and goal kicks.

90+2' FREE HEADER!

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By Simon Smale

Lee Han-beom rises at the back post and sends his header wide!

Oh another glorious opportunity for Korea.

90+2' Corner for Korea

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By Simon Smale

This is the first corner of the match.

No, I'm not joking.

90+1' SIX additional minutes

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By Simon Smale

All those subs added up, it seems...

87' WHAT A SAVE!

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By Simon Smale

What a ball!

A brilliant cross from the left.

Cho Gue-sung has a free header, but he heads it straight towards Raúl Rangel!

Rangel saves it but it bobbles up - with two Korean attackers advancing.

The keeper manages to dive on it just in time to be clattered by his own centre back Johan Vásquez!

Incredible stop.

He holds on.

That could have gone anywhere.

The Korean bench can't believe they haven't equalised there.

85' Chance Mexico!

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By Simon Smale

That's a thunderous shot from Vargas!

The ball sat up nicely for him on the edge of the penalty area and he's hammered that towards goal.

It takes another really good save from Kim Seung-gyu to keep them out.

He's been really good tonight, Kim.

Except when he threw the ball to a Mexican to open the scoring, that is.

84' ANOTHER change

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By Simon Smale

My god, the subs coming on and off has been one of the more entertaining parts of this game, but I'm a bit tired of it now.

Mexico makes a change.

There's a good reaction for local lad César Huerta, who comes on to replace Julián Quiñones.

Crowd is 45,552

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By Simon Smale

Sounds like they're a factor of 10 off that tally to be honest - the raucous crowd has been electric throughout.

78' Chance Korea!

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By Simon Smale

A long range effort from Lee Kang-in.

Korea had broken through and had Mexico on the back foot after a long ball forward.

That was a low-percentage play and his shot flew well over the bar.

77' Another Korean sub

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By Simon Smale

Paik Seung-Ho is off, Cho Gue-Sung comes off.

76' Chance Korea!

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By Simon Smale

Yang Hyun-jun with a beautiful ball across the six yard box!

Oh Hyeon-gyu slides towards goal but he just can't make contact!

That was the equaliser right there!

75' Chance Mexico!

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By Simon Smale

Brilliant save by Kim Seung-gyu!

Raúl Jiménez was played in by a long ball across into the penalty area, his touch was sublime, under pressure he powers the ball towards goal.

But Kim stands tall and bats the ball away!