Mexico avoided defeat in dramatic fashion as Santiago Giménez scored a last-minute equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw against South Korea in Nashville. Raúl Jiménez reached another milestone for El Tri, but Javier Aguirre’s side once again looked second-best, raising questions ahead of tougher October tests.
Mexico closed the September international window with another draw, salvaging a 2-2 result against South Korea thanks to a stunning stoppage-time strike from Santiago Giménez at GEODIS Park in Nashville.
Manager Javier Aguirre made eight changes to the side that faced Japan, but his team still struggled for consistency against a South Korea side led by the ever-dangerous Son Heung-Min.
Raúl Jiménez gave El Tri an early boost, firing home in the 22nd minute to register his 43rd international goal — moving just three shy of Jared Borgetti in the all-time scoring charts. But Mexico’s momentum soon faded, and South Korea grew into the game.
Son equalized in the 65th minute, showcasing his trademark composure before Belgian-based striker Hyeon-Gyu Oh stunned Mexico with a superb finish to make it 2-1. The Genk forward had already set up Son’s goal, underlining his role as one of the rising stars of Korean football.
Just when it looked like Mexico would suffer back-to-back defeats, Giménez struck in stoppage time with a thunderous effort, sparking celebrations among the Mexican fans in Nashville. It was a moment of quality that saved Aguirre from further criticism — at least for now.
MVP: Hyeon-Gyu Oh
The Genk striker was the standout performer, registering both a goal and an assist while causing constant problems for Mexico’s back line. Alongside Son and Lee Kang-in, he represents the new attacking core of South Korea’s national team.
The Big Loser: Hirving Lozano
Returning to the national team after more than a year, Lozano failed to make an impact. The San Diego FC forward was quiet against Japan and again underwhelmed versus South Korea, coming off after an ineffective 60 minutes. At 30, his World Cup chances may be fading if performances don’t improve.
What’s Next for Mexico?
El Tri will return to action in October with two high-profile friendlies: Colombia at AT&T Stadium on October 11, followed by a clash with Ecuador in Guadalajara on October 14. With the World Cup roster countdown underway, Aguirre will be under pressure to find a more convincing formula.
