Mexico become first nation into last 32 as Kone injury overshadows Canada's 6-0 rout of Qatar

Co-hosts Mexico became the first nation to reach the World Cup last 32 after edging South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara, with Luis Romo tapping into an empty net in the 50th minute after goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu spilled the ball following a collision with team-mate Lee Gi-hyuk. South Korea’s clearest response came in the 87th minute, when Cho Gue-sung’s close-range header was kept out by Raul Rangel, who then denied Yang Hyun-jun’s follow-up to preserve the win.

Fellow co-hosts Canada recorded their first-ever World Cup finals victory — a commanding 6-0 defeat of nine-man Qatar in Vancouver — but the day was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to midfielder Ismael Kone. With Canada already leading 3-0, Kone and Qatar’s Assim Omer Madibo challenged for the ball, prompting a lengthy stoppage. Madibo was initially shown a yellow card before VAR upgraded it to a red, but the focus remained firmly on Kone, who was stretchered off the pitch. In a moment that moved manager Jesse Marsch to tears, the former Watford midfielder was able to sit up and wave to the crowd as he was carried around the perimeter while inhaling painkillers. Canada are now well-placed to reach the knockout rounds, though the extent of Kone’s injury represents a significant concern for their prospects beyond the last 32.

Elsewhere, Switzerland came from behind to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 in a chaotic final 20 minutes. Substitute Johan Manzambi, 20, scored twice — the first a first-time volley in the 74th minute just two minutes and 46 seconds after coming off the bench, on only his fourth touch. Bosnia were reduced to 10 men when Tarik Muharemovic received a straight red card for hauling down Breel Embolo through on goal, and Ruben Vargas quickly doubled Switzerland’s lead with a precise curling finish. Vargas then turned provider in the 90th minute for Manzambi’s second, before Granit Xhaka converted an injury-time penalty after Djibril Sow was tripped by Amar Memic.

In the day’s other fixture, South Africa salvaged a draw against the Czech Republic thanks to Teboho Mokoena’s 83rd-minute penalty. The Czechs had taken the lead after just five minutes and seven seconds — the earliest goal of the tournament — when Michal Sadilek latched onto a clever lay-off and rifled home. South Africa’s equaliser came after Thapelo Maseko’s shot struck the arm of Pavel Sulc, handing Mokoena the opportunity from the spot.