ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia - Fresh off its historic 1-0 victory over Germany last Sunday in its 2018 FIFA World Cup opener, the Mexican National Team will now set its sights on the second match in Group F against a difficult South Korea team on Saturday.
It will mark just the second time that Mexico has faced South Korea in a World Cup, the first coming back at France 1998 in which El Tricolor emerged with a 3-1 group stage win thanks to a brace from Luis Hernandez and a goal from Ricardo Pelaez.
However, a more unique unbeaten streak will be in play when the two sides kick off at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don.
El Tricolor has not lost in its second match at a World Cup since Argentina 1978, a span of seven World Cups with a record of 3W-4D-0L.
If anything, it proves that no matter the result in its World Cup opener, Mexico rarely suffer from a hangover effect in its second match.
Interestingly, starting when it hosted the 1986 World Cup, the results of Mexico's second matches have taken on a pattern: D-W-D-W-D-W-D.
By that logic, Mexico can feel plenty optimistic about Saturday's tilt with South Korea.
No matter the history though, Mexico MF Marco Fabian says that he and his teammates are focused on the task at hand.
"We are preparing ourselves for it, Korea will be a difficult opponent, they have fast players that don't let you think very much and we like to have the ball like what was shown against Germany," said Fabian in a press conference.
"We have to work a lot in these days and be aware of what is coming. The only thing we can't leave behind is the attitude that was shown against Germany," concluded Fabian.
Perhaps out of the three second match wins for Mexico, the one likely remembered by fans is the 2-0 triumph over former World Cup champions France at South Africa 2010.
Also of note was the valiant 0-0 draw earned against hosts Brazil four years ago when Mexico GK Guillermo Ochoa delivered a masterful performance in goal.
