ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia, June 23 -- Mexico moved closer to qualify from Group F at the World Cup after defeating South Korea 2-1 in muggy weather at Rostov Arena on Saturday.

The Mexicans came to the city on the Don river to maintain, hopefully expand their lead in the group, as they beat the reigning champions in the opener. On the other hand, South Korea were committed to the first victory, utilising probably their last opportunity, as they are to take on Germany in their last group match.

Suffocating heat and humidity impacted both teams negatively from the first minute. After a relatively slow-tempo and paralleled first 20 minutes, when the captain just finished their first shot on target in this tournament, South Korea suffered another heartbreaking moment. A cross by Andres Guardado hit the stretching arm of center back Jang Hyunsoo, who was trying to tackle the ball with a slipper in the box.

This incident resulted in the second penalty awarded to the opponents of the South Koreans, after they conceded one in their first match against Sweden. Carlos Vela calmly converted the penalty into a 1-0 lead for Mexico in the 27th minute, as the South Korea goal keeper Jo Hyeonwoo was sent to the wrong side.

It made the 14th penalty of Russia 2018, which already outnumbered the total of 13 in Brazil four years ago, with the tournament hadn't gone into its halfway yet, primarily thanks to the newly-implemented VAR system.

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