Mexico did not need to be brilliant in Guadalajara. They needed to be ready for one moment, and when South Korea handed them that moment, Luis Romo did not hesitate.
The co-hosts saw off the Koreans 1-0 at Estadio Akron on Thursday, and the reward stretched well beyond three points: El Tri seized control of Group A and reached the Round of 32, the first side anywhere in the tournament to get there. Sitting on six points, Mexico are now positioned to finish top of the group and earn a knockout route that keeps them on home soil.