Mexico Takes Advantage Of Some Dumb Defending To Take 1-0 Lead On South Korea

After beating Germany in the World Cup opener, Mexico couldn’t afford a let down in the second match. Thanks to a Carlos Vela goal vs South Korea, El Tri stayed right on track on Saturday in Rostov, Russia. 

South Korea had a couple good chances in the opening 23 minutes, but momentum shifted after a bone-headed move from defender Jang Hyun-Soo, who raised his arm while attempting to make a slide tackle in the box. The arm struck a cross from Andrés Guardado and a penalty kick was the obvious call. A central defender should know better than to slide with his or her arm raise so high in the air.

Up stepped Mexico’s LAFC striker, with the Carlos Vela goal vs South Korea making it 1-0 from the spot.

#MundialTelemundo Así abrió el marcador @11carlosV y puso en ventaja a #MEX sobre #KOR pic.twitter.com/2WsINUiSSa

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 23, 2018

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And with that, the El Tri fans had one more reason to go nuts in Russia. 

#MundialTelemundo ¡Emotivo! La afición de @miseleccionmx está de fiesta y canta el "Cielito Lindo" en la Arena Rostov pic.twitter.com/GH9cehdI5K

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 23, 2018

The Carlos Vela goal vs South Korea allowed Mexico to take a 1-0 lead into halftime, though both teams created chances in the remainder of the half.