Javier Hernandez scores his 50th international goal as Mexico beat South Korea,

Javier Hernandez of Mexico celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Korea Republic and Mexico at Rostov Arena on June 23, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Mexico moved a step closer to round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup after recording a 2-1 win over Korea Republic in Rostov on Saturday.

Mexico were looking to build on their famous victory over the defending champions Germany in the group opener and, after a slow start this weekend, Javier Hernandez headed wide from a free-kick by Hector Moreno.

Son Heung-min broke free down the right after beating the offside trap, but his cut-back into the box to take a shot was blocked by not one but three bodies.

Korea was on the ascendancy momentarily and a header from Kim Young-gwon was expertly tipped over by Guillermo Ochoa.

Mexico were awarded a penalty when Jang Hyun-soo handled a cross from Andres Guardado after 23 minutes. Carlos Vela sent Jo the wrong way for the first goal of the game.

Miguel Layun pressed for a second goal before the break but his shot from a low cross-field drive was tipped away by Jo Hyeon-woo.

Mexico staved off an early onslaught after the Koreans threw a number of bodies forward in an effort to get the equaliser.

However, that left them exposed at the back, where El Tri pounced on the counterattack on a few occasions. It nearly paid off after Hirving Lozano out-sprinted his marker, but his final delivery was blocked away.

At the midway point, the masterstroke finally paid dividends as a long ball made contact with Hernandez, who side-stepped two defenders before firing a low finish past Jo.

After countless efforts to get a breakthrough, Tottenham Hotspur striker Son was finally rewarded as he curled home an audacious strike from outside the box two minutes into added time to make it 2-1.

However, it was not enough for the South Koreans as Mexico and Juan Carlos Osorio bagged all the points. – kickoff.com