Quinones and Jimenez got Mexico off to a flying start
Hwang starred as Korea Republic beat Czechia from behind
Shakira started the party. Then El Tri made it an unforgettable fiesta. Red cards outnumbered goals in Mexico City. What mattered, however, was that the gladiators in green got both the latter to spark euphoric scenes. If Mexico cruised to victory, Korea Republic had to eke one out in Guadalajara. Czechia had weathered a Son Heungmin-spearheaded storm and taken the lead, but Hwang Inbeom inspired an admirable fightback.
Mexico side were under immeasurable pressure. They’d had four cracks at winning the opening match of a World Cup. And four failures. Now, with millions across the planet, and 80,000-plus inside Mexico’s footballing temple, watching, they simply had to triumph. Javier Aguirre’s side did just that. Julian Quinones settled the nerves early. Raul Jimenez sealed victory. Another almighty roar went up in between as 17-year-old sensation Gilberto Mora became the sixth-youngest player in World Cup history.
Hwang Inbeom tried. Lee Jaesung tried. Son Heungmin tried repeatedly. Whatever Korea Republic threw at Czechia’s goal was, however, repelled by the excellent Matej Kovar. Then Miroslav Koubek’s giants hit their outsized opponents with a sucker punch, Ladislav Krejci thumping home a header from a throw-in. The Taegeuk Warriors were down but not out. Hwang dummied Koubek to his knees and scooped it over his shoulder to equalise. The same player then turned supplier, his handsome cutback turned home by substitute Oh Hyeongyu.
Mexico are now unbeaten in their last eight World Cup curtain-raisers, winning six. They beat Korea Republic 3-1 at France 1998, Croatia 1-0 at Korea/Japan 2002 and IR Iran 3-1 at Germany 2006 before a 1-1 draw with hosts South Africa in 2010. Mexico returned to the victory column with 1-0 defeats of Cameroon at Brazil 2014 and Germany. A goalless draw with Poland followed at Qatar 2022.
Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 years and 317 days when he guided Greece against Diego Maradona’s Argentina at South Africa 2010, began the day as the oldest coach in World Cup history and finished it in third. South Africa coach Hugo Broos held the record for a few hours, before his Czechia counterpart and fellow 74-year-old Miroslav Koubek stole it.
Friday 12 June (all times local) 15:00: (Group B) 18:00: (Group D)
Sources: FIFA Official
