Guadalajara: South Korea will attempt to achieve consecutive group stage victories for the first time in their FIFA World Cup history as they face Mexico this week. The match, set for 7 p.m. Thursday (local time) at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, will see world No. 25 South Korea take on 14th-ranked Mexico.

According to Yonhap News Agency, both teams emerged victorious in their initial Group A matches last week. Mexico, one of the co-hosts of the tournament, defeated South Africa 2-0, while South Korea overcame Czechia with a 2-1 comeback win. The winner of the upcoming match will have a significant advantage in Group A, with upcoming matches against underdogs South Africa and Czechia.

Historical trends do not favor South Korea, who have never won their second World Cup match in their previous 11 appearances. Their record includes four draws and seven losses, with a 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. South Korea has achieved back-to-back victories only once in World Cup history, during their remarkable 2002 run.

South Korea's record against Mexico in the past two decades shows four wins, three draws, and eight losses. The latest encounter between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw last September in Nashville, with South Korea conceding a late equalizer. Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu, who are both part of the current World Cup squad, scored for South Korea in that match.

Son Heung-min, a key player for South Korea, is poised to start against Mexico alongside Oh Hyeon-gyu. Son is set to make his fifth World Cup appearance, tying the record for the most World Cup appearances by a South Korean player. With three career World Cup goals, Son is also chasing the record for the most goals by a South Korean player in the tournament.

Mexico, under the leadership of head coach Javier Aguirre, will rely on a mix of experienced and young players. Raul Jimenez, a 35-year-old forward, scored his first World Cup goal against South Africa. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora became the youngest Mexican to play in a World Cup match during the same game. Aguirre will need to adjust his defense due to the absence of Cesar Montes, who received a red card against South Africa. Edson Alvarez may step in for Montes as a defensive option.