FIFA / FIFA

Each FIFA World Cup is unique in its own way. Each edition leaves behind many stories, some sweet, some sour. Some individual patches of brilliance and some unforgivable failures remain talking points till the world soccer elite assembles again to create new stories, throw up new legends and say goodbye to the old ones.

When the FIFA endorsed the bid put up jointly by the USA, Mexico and Canada, a new chapter was added to the list of nations volunteering to host the mega event. Many eyebrows were raised over logistics and technicalities. Controversies quickly settled down and the mega event, the biggest ever, got off to  some recording breaking and colourful start.

It has already started setting records in motion with the Argentine skipper Lionel Messi hitting his career’s first FIFA World Cup hat-trick in the game against Algeria. In fact, he could have been credited with a four-in-a-row feat but for the first goal being disallowed off-side.

Second player to follow with a hat-trick of goals is Jonathan David of Canada who accomplished this feat in the game against Qatar. Incidentally, it was the second game after the Mexico-South Africa encounter that witnessed more than one red card.

While the Mexico-South Africa game had three red cards, the Canada-Qatar game had two and both went against Qatar. It would go down in the annals as one game that Qatar played with nine players for more than the last 40 minutes.

Besides, Mexico had the distinction of holding the first two games of the 2026 edition that included its own triumphant start with a win over South Africa. And now this one of the three co-hosts has become the first nation to qualify for the knockout stages with a narrow win over South Korea in Guadalajara.

Mexico midfielder Luis Romo was in the right place at the right time to tap into an empty net after goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu spilled the ball following a collision with his team-mate Lee Gi-hyuk in the 50th minute. An unfortunate collision between two teammates proved very costly for the Koreans.

South Korea's best chance came in the 87th minute when Cho Gue-sung's close-range header was saved by Raul Rangel. Subsequently, the Mexico keeper was able to keep out Yang Hyun-jun's follow-up.

Earlier, captain Son Heung-min had chipped Rangel before his effort was cleared off the line by Edson Alvarez, although the former Tottenham forward was flagged offside.

Backed by a boisterous home support that had booed its team at half-time following a toothless first half, Mexico almost added a second in the 75th minute but Raul Jimenez's effort from a tight angle was saved.

Substitute Obed Vargas also forced Kim into a fine diving save late on with a driven strike.

The result continued Mexico's 100% start at the World Cup and confirmed Javier Aguirre's side will advance as Group A winners.

Despite their defeat, South Korea remained in a good position to also advance thanks to their opening-day win over Czech Republic. They face South Africa next on Thursday in Monterrey while Mexico plays Czech Republic in its final group game at the same time in Mexico City.

With two wins from as many matches,  means the co-hosts will be in Mexico City for both their last-32 and potential last-16 tie, where they could face England if Thomas Tuchel's side win their group and first knockout match.

Same may be the case with the second co-host Canada after its splendid 6-0 win over Qatar on Thursday. When it takes on Switzerland in its last and final group game, it will be well within a chance to stay put in Vancouver for its round of 32 game. All Canadians need is a draw or a win against the Swiss in the last game.

Unfortunately, the Canadians will be without Ismael Kone, whose leg was fractured in an aggressive charge by a defender of Qatar, the morale of the team is all-time high.

The third and major co-host USA now has games against Australia and Turkey in hand. All it needs is a win in one of the two to advance after it made a triumphant start to its world cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The US plays Australia on Friday and Turkey on Thursday next.

Australia started well with a win over Turkey and is as comfortably placed as the US. Their game today will be crucial for both the teams.