Mexico defeated South Korea to confirm their place in the last 32 of the World Cup.

World Cup co-hosts Mexico became the first nation to secure a spot in the knockout stage after edging South Korea with a narrow victory in Guadalajara.

Midfielder Luis Romo struck in the 50th minute, tapping into an empty net after South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu failed to hold on to the ball following a collision with his teammate Lee Gi-hyuk.

South Korea came close to equalising in the 87th minute when Cho Gue-sung’s header from close range was parried by Raul Rangel, who then denied Yang Hyun-jun’s rebound effort to preserve Mexico’s lead.

Co-hosts Canada experienced both triumph and heartbreak as they celebrated their first-ever World Cup finals win but lost Ismael Kone to what appeared to be a serious injury during a 6-0 demolition of nine-man Qatar in Vancouver. The incident left head coach Jesse Marsch visibly emotional on the touchline.

With Canada already 3-0 up and enjoying a numerical advantage, Qatar’s Assim Omer Madibo and Kone contested a 50-50 challenge that resulted in a long stoppage. The Canadian midfielder had to be stretchered off the field.

Initially cautioned with a yellow card, Madibo’s booking was upgraded to a red following a VAR review.

As Kone was carried off around the pitch, Canadian fans chanted his name. The former Watford player managed to sit up and wave to the crowd while receiving oxygen and pain relief.

Canada’s resounding victory puts them within touching distance of the knockout rounds, but Kone’s injury could deal a significant blow to their hopes of progressing beyond the last 32.

Substitute Johan Manzambi made an instant impact for Switzerland, scoring twice in a frantic final 20 minutes to seal a 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, pushing the Swiss closer to qualification for the next round.

Manzambi converted a first-time volley past Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj in the 74th minute, just two minutes and 46 seconds after coming off the bench — his fourth touch of the game.

With Bosnia reduced to ten men after Tarik Muharemovic was shown a straight red for bringing down Breel Embolo, Ruben Vargas extended Switzerland’s lead with a curling effort into the bottom corner.

Vargas then turned provider in the 90th minute, setting up Manzambi for his second of the evening from close range. Granit Xhaka rounded off the scoring with a stoppage-time penalty after Djibril Sow was fouled by Amar Memic.

In another match, Teboho Mokoena netted an 83rd-minute penalty to earn South Africa a draw against the Czech Republic.

South Africa fell behind just five minutes and seven seconds into the game when Michal Sadilek finished off a clever lay-off to record the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

The South Africans finally found a lifeline when Thapelo Maseko’s powerful shot struck Pavel Sulc’s arm inside the Czech penalty box, leading to the late equaliser from Mokoena.