Mexico managed to reach the semi-finals and will have the chance to win a medal after their victory in the quarter-finals. It was a great match, where both teams fought until the end to win. South Korea were always behind on the scoreboard, but they did not give up. They started both the first half and the second half losing and still managed to score three goals.

Mexico could be one of the surprise teams of the Olympics. They started the tournament by beating one of the favourites, the French national team. They got through to the quarter-finals with 6 points as second in the group and today they beat South Korea with 6 great goals. It has a lot of merit what Mexico is achieving, as they are also playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and have also managed to reach the final.

A team very well worked by Jaime Lozano that is already in the semi-finals of these Olympic Games. Brazil will be their next opponent, having beaten Egypt 1-0. The next match will be on 3rd August at the Kashima Soccer Stadium and will be the last effort to reach the final and win a medal.

The match was a real goal fest, there was never a lull and Mexico managed to keep the lead at all times on the scoreboard. Henry Martin opened the scoring in the 12th minute, but South Korea would respond with a goal from outside the box in the 20th minute by Dong-Kheong Lee. Luis Romo would get his team ahead on the scoreboard and then shortly after Yoon-Sung Kang would commit a penalty, that's when South Korea would fall apart after Francisco Cordova's goal.

The two teams went in at half-time with Mexico 1-3 up and after the break it was a great game. Dong-Kyeong Lee managed to score in the 51st minute, the South Korean winger, who had already scored in the first half, scored again with his left foot into the top left hand corner. Ochoa could do nothing to save it. But 3 minutes later, Martin would also score his second goal of the match.

It looked like the game was going to stay that way, but nothing like that. Francisco Cordova also scored his second goal from outside the box and very similar to South Korea's first goal, a left footed strike into the top left hand corner. In the closing stages of the game, Edu Aguirre, who had just come off the bench, took advantage of a good cross into the box from Lainez to increase the lead. And finally, Ui-Jo Hwang, the Gironding Bordeaux player, managed to score the consolation goal for himself.

As you can see, the match left no one indifferent, full of excitement and goals. The worst news for Mexico is that Johan Vasquez will not be available for the semi-final due to suspension, the centre-back, who was a yellow card away from suspension, was booked in the second half.

Mexico continue in the Olympic Games and their next match will be on 3rd August. The whole country will be watching the two competitions that the Mexicans are playing, to see if they can reach the final as well as the Gold Cup.

July 31, 2021

E. Aguirre

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