Chicharito’s Mexico are safely and dramatically through to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, despite losing 3-0 to Sweden in their final Group F fixture on Wednesday.
Two South Korea goals in added time saw holders Germany beaten 2-0 and eliminated at the group-stage for the first time in their history and the first hurdle for the first time since 1938.
El Tri were in pole position to advance after beating Germany and South Korea in their opening two matches, but their heavy defeat at the hands of the Swedes in Yekaterinburg left their hopes of qualifying hanging by a thread in the closing stages.
Chicharito had a couple of chances of his own against the Scandinavians, but Mexico could hit the target with only three of their 20 goal attempts, increasing frustration and concern in the CONCACAF country's ranks.
With Mexico’s goal difference standing at minus-one and Sweden’s at plus-three, with both nations on six points, and Germany’s level, albeit on four points, a late goal for Joachim Low’s men would have eliminated Juan Carlos Osorio’s team.
But the Germans could not find a way past the resolute South Koreans, who scored through a VAR-confirmed Yong-gwon Kim goal and Hueng-min Son's slotted finish in added time, meaning the West Ham United striker and his compatriots went through to the knockout stages for the seventh consecutive World Cup finals.
Having finished as Group F runners-up, Mexico will tackle the Group E winners, most likely Brazil although possibly either Serbia or Switzerland, in Samara on Monday 2 July at 3pm BST.
The Round of 16 broadcast schedule will be confirmed following the conclusion of the group stage.