Mexico wins Group A after Raúl Rangel’s stunning double save denies South Korea late equalizer

With three minutes left and Mexico clinging to a one-goal lead, South Korea threw everything forward. What happened next will be replayed for years.

Raúl Rangel, the 26-year-old Guadalajara shot-stopper, produced a double save in the 87th minute that denied both Cho Gue-Sung and Yang Hyun-Jun in rapid succession. The stop preserved Mexico’s 1-0 victory over South Korea and clinched first place in Group A, a feat El Tri hadn’t managed at a World Cup since 2002.

The save that stopped a nation’s heartbreak

Here’s how it played out. Cho Gue-Sung got on the end of a cross and fired a shot that Rangel somehow got a hand to while diving to his left. The ball ricocheted directly to Yang Hyun-Jun, who was unmarked and had what looked like a tap-in from close range. Rangel, still on the ground, somehow recovered and flung himself the other direction to block the follow-up.

Multiple outlets have already tagged it as the “save of the tournament,” and it’s hard to argue with that assessment this early in the competition.

Luis Romo had scored the match’s only goal earlier, giving Mexico a slim lead that always felt vulnerable against a South Korean side known for late surges.

Who is Raúl Rangel?

Full name José Raúl Rangel Aguilar, the goalkeeper goes by “Tala” and stands 6 feet 3 inches tall. Born on February 25, 2000, he plays his club football at Guadalajara, better known as Chivas, one of the most storied clubs in Liga MX.

Rangel has earned 16 caps for the Mexico national team since breaking into the squad in 2024. He’s previously won Liga MX Save of the Month awards, which in retrospect feel like warm-up acts for what he just did on the world’s biggest stage.

What topping the group means for Mexico

Mexico finishing first in Group A is their best group-stage result at a World Cup in 24 years. The 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea was the last time El Tri managed this particular trick.

Mexico became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage from Group A. Coaches and analysts have praised Rangel’s skills and Mexico’s overall defensive strategy following the result.

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