Raul “Tala” Rangel produced a dramatic double-save late in Mexico’s 1-0 win over South Korea, helping El Tri keep control of World Cup Group A and remain on track for a rare group-stage finish.
Raul “Tala” Rangel didn’t just stop a shot in the 88th minute against South Korea—he clawed a win out of chaos, keeping Mexico ahead and pressing them closer to what the team hasn’t managed in years.
A cross swung into the box and found South Korea forward Cho Gue-Sung alone. The substitute redirected a header on goal, and Rangel got down low to push it away with his right foot. The ball then bounced free for Yang Hyun-Jun. but Yang’s shot only rose as it hit the air—before the collision of bodies left the play hanging in the goalmouth.
As the ball looped toward the line, Rangel somehow got back upright, got a hand on it, and ripped it out of the air just before it could cross. It was the second clean sheet of the tournament for him.
Mexico had taken the lead earlier, and it began with a costly mistake from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu. Chivas teammate Luis Romo scored for Mexico to make the advantage stick.
That sequence matters because Mexico is playing with a clear edge in Group A. The 2026 World Cup has expanded to the largest tournament ever, and the structure of these group matches makes moments like Rangel’s—late, messy, and decisive—feel like they can define the standings.
Mexico enters the group as ranked No. 14 in the FIFA World Rankings and is set for a schedule that keeps them close to the finish line. June 11: Mexico 2-0 South Africa. June 18: Mexico 1-0 South Korea. June 24: Mexico vs Czechia at 9 p.m. ET, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The team’s World Cup path is also tied to its placement as Hosts, with the berth earned as Hosts for the 2026 tournament. Mexico’s best World Cup result in the past is reaching the Quarter-finals in 1970 and 1986, and this is Mexico’s 18th appearance after last qualifying in 2022.
Mexico’s goalkeeper group for the tournament includes Raul Rangel of Chivas. Carlos Acevedo of Santos Laguna. and Guillermo Ochoa of AEL Limassol. The defensive corps lists Israel Reyes of Club América. Jesús Gallardo of Toluca. Jorge Sánchez of PAOK. César Montes of Lokomotiv Moscow. Johan Vásquez of Genoa. and Mateo Chávez of PSV.
Midfielders called up are Erik Lira of Cruz Azul. Luis Romo of Chivas. Obed Vargas of Atlético Madrid. Brian Gutiérrez of Chivas. Orbelín Pineda of AEK Athens. Edson Álvarez of Fenerbahçe. Gilberto Mora of Club Tijuana. César Huerta of Anderlecht. Álvaro Fidalgo of Real Betis. and Luis Chávez of Dynamo Moscow.
Forwards include Roberto Alvarado of Chivas, Alexis Vega of Toluca, Julián Quiñones of Al-Qadsiah, Santiago Giménez of AC Milan, Guillermo Martínez of Pumas, Armando González of Chivas, and Raúl Jiménez of Fulham.
Mexico’s training base camp is listed as Centro de Alto Rendimiento – Mexico City.
In the final minutes against South Korea. it wasn’t just a spectacular save—it was the kind that preserves momentum. With the next match scheduled and the group still within reach. Mexico now has Rangel’s late double-stop as a reminder of how thin the margin can be. and how quickly a game can swing when everything goes wrong and someone finds a way to keep it from going in.
Mexico vs South Korea Raul Tala Rangel World Cup Group A Luis Romo Kim Seung-Gyu Cho Gue-Sung World Cup 2026 schedule Estadio Azteca Mexico national team