Son Heung-min ready to rekindle rivalry with Mexico after World Cup moment

In 2018, Son Heung-min became an unlikely hero for Mexico fans. Now, he is ready to become a villain. Son’s 96th-minute goal was one of two stoppage-time tallies for South Korea against Germany that rescued Mexico from group-stage elimination at the 2018 World Cup.

Celebrations in Mexico saw representatives at Korean embassies and companies swept up by celebrating fans. When Son visited Southern California with previous club Tottenham Hotspur just weeks after the World Cup in Russia, he surprised LAFC fans at an event and was gifted a sombrero by a fan in a Mexico jersey as fans chanted “Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano” — Korean, brother, you’re now Mexican. It would become foreshadowing, as Son joined LAFC in 2025, leaving Spurs after helping the team win the Europa League .

But those good vibes are now shaky, with Korea facing Mexico in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup meeting that Mexico won 2-1 , with a late Son strike not enough to overcome goals from Carlos Vela and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. “I love Mexican fans, and I love Mexican players. I obviously played the 2018 World Cup against them.

Last year, we played a friendly game against Mexico in Nashville. I think we have a great relationship with each other, are both really, really respectful,” Son told USA TODAY Sports. “When we have a home game at BMO Stadium, there’s a lot of Mexican fans cheering us and cheering me especially, I’m really grateful for that.