Santiago Giménez saved Mexico’s national soccer team from defeat on Tuesday, giving them a 2-2 aggregate draw against South Korea in a match played at Geodis Park in Nashville (USA).
Raúl Jiménez also scored for El Tri, which last Saturday played to a goalless draw with Japan in its first match of the September FIFA match. Son Heung-Min and Oh Hyeon-Gyu scored for the South Koreans, who along with Mexico have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Mexico dominates, but Korea reacts
The Mexicans were more dangerous in the first half and their dominance was transformed into a goal in the 21st minute, when Rodrigo Huescas sent a lofted pass to Raúl Jiménez, who headed the ball in for the 1-0 lead.
In the 45th minute, El Tri came close to increasing their lead with a shot by Johan Vásquez that goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu saved by diving at his left post.
South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo made a couple of changes at the start of the second half, including the introduction of star player Son Heung-Min, who improved his team.
Son Heung-Min came close to equalizing in the 49th and 53rd minutes, but goalkeeper Raúl Rangel kept him out.
Korea comes from behind, but Gimenez rescues El Tri
In the 65th minute, Son equalized when Oh Hyeon-Gyu crossed a pass that allowed the LAFC player to volley home to make it 1-1.
The Asians came from behind in the 75th minute. Oh Hyun-Gyu received a through ball, beat Vásquez, and scored with a low shot to make it 1-2.
When it seemed all was set for South Korea’s victory, Mexico surprised the defense with a pass from Sanchez to Gimenez, who turned around in the middle of the box to make it 2-2 with a left-footed shot in the 94th minute.
Technical data
Mexico: Raúl Rangel; Mateo Chávez (Jesús Gallardo, m.80), Johan Vásquez, Juan José Purata, Rodrigo Huescas (Jorge Sánchez, m.80); Marcel Ruiz (Carlos Rodríguez, m.45), Erik Lira, Erick Sánchez; Hirving Lozano (Alexis Vega, m.62), Raúl Jiménez (Santiago Giménez, m.62) and Germán Berterame (Diego Lainez, m.62).
Coach: Javier Aguirre.
2. South Korea: Kim Seung-Gyu; Lee Myung-Jae (Lee Tae-Seok, m.73), Kim Tae-Hyeon, Kim Min-Jae, Han-Beom Lee, Kim Moon-Hwan (Jeong Sang-Bin, m.73); Bae Jun-Ho (Son Heung-Min, 45th minute), Jens Castrop (Kim Jin-Kyu, 45th minute), Park Yong-Woo, Lee Kang-in (Seol Young-Woo, 80th minute); Oh Hyun-Gyu (Lee Dong-Gyeong, 87th minute).
Coach: Hong Myung-bo.
Goals: 1-0, 22nd minute: Raúl Jiménez. 1-1, 65th minute: Son Heung-Min. 1-2, 75th minute: Oh Hyeon-Gyu. 2-2, 94th minute: Santiago Giménez.
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. of the United States. Marcel Ruiz received a yellow card.
Incidents: Friendly match between the Mexico and South Korea national teams, played at Geodis Park in Nashville (USA), according to EFE.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
