Mexico see off South Korea despite late Son stunner

Mexico bagged their second win of the World Cup as goals from Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez steered them to a 2-1 win over South Korea, with a stunning strike by Heung-Min Son coming too late to save his side.

The result means that Mexico could qualify if Germany fail to beat Sweden on Saturday evening, while South Korea will need a mathematical miracle to make it to the knockout stages.

Mexico were quick out of the traps in the opening half, pressing forward and passing well around the Korean team.

It was Spurs man Son Heung-Min who looked the most dangerous for South Korea, who otherwise played a more defensive game, picking up only a fraction of possession.

Nonetheless, it was an at times reckless defensive strategy which saw Mexico awarded a number of free kicks and a penalty when Jang Hyun-soo’s arm struck the ball in the box. Carlos Vela converted the penalty with a wonderful strike sending the keeper the wrong way to give his side a 1-0 advantage.

Javier Hernandez looked to have finished the game for his side in the 66th minute when he converted a cross from Hirving Lozano’s lightning-fast counter-attack.

South Korea saw themselves the recipients of four yellow cards as various players hacked away at their Mexican opponents, resulting in an extended period of added time in which Son made efforts to bring his side back into the game with a beautiful goal.

It was too little too late, however, for the South Koreans as the final whistle blew, the score 2-1 to Mexico.

With two wins in two games, though the game lacked some of the excitement of their opener against Germany, Mexico are now on solid footing to make it through to the final 16. What the Mexican side does particularly well is a spectacular counter-attack, but perhaps rather than dark horses rather one trick ponies - will it be enough to see them into the late stages of the tournament?

Hernandez looked to be on good form doubling his side's lead with a great strike from Lozano's cross and in the process his 50th goal for his country.

South Korea: Cho Hyun-Woo 5, Lee Yong 5, Jang Hyun-Soo 5, Kim Young-Gwon 5, Kim Min-Woo 5, Moon Seon-Min 6, Ju Se-Jong 5, Ki Sung-Yueng 6, Lee Jae-Sung 5, Son Heung-Min 7. Subs: Lee Seung-Woo 5, Hong Chul 5, Jung Woo-Young 5,

Mexico: Ochoa 7, Alvaraz 6, Salcedo 6, Morena 6, Gallardo 6, Herrera 7, Guardado 7, Layun 7, Vela 7, Lozano 8, Javier Hernandez 8. Subs: Marquez 6, J dos Santos 6, JM Corona6.

21’ Spurs man Son strikes not once, not even twice but THRICE and no cigar. Good effort, now for the corner.

25’ GOAL! It's a clean strike by Carlos Vela straight in the back of the net as Cho drops to the left.

66’ GOAL! Hernandez strikes from Lozano's swift counter-attack and ensuing cross from the right wing. It's a beautiful low ball right under the keeper. 2-0 to Mexico.

80’ ANOTHER YELLOW CARD. Jun Woo-Young pretty much clotheslines Hernandez who clutches his throat as he walks away. Four yellow cards for the South Korean side now.

93’ GOAL! Son comes from absolutely no where cutting through a cluster of the Mexico defence, curls right over the outstretched arm of Occhoa and sails into the bottom corner. Mexico 2-1 South Korea.