In the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, Mexico defeated South Korea 1-0, securing top spot in their group early and becoming the first team in the tournament to advance to the Round of 32.

After the match, goalkeeper Rangel drew media attention for a crucial save at the goal line during the match, successfully blocking a dangerous shot from South Korea and directly preserving his team's victory.

When asked about the "miraculous save," Rangel appeared remarkably composed, admitting he could barely recall the details of the moment: "If you ask me now, I honestly don't remember much. It was pure instinct. When the ball came, I just reacted. All I remember is getting my hands on it and trying my best to keep the whole team calm."

He emphasized that there was no complex thinking in that moment, but rather a natural reaction from a goalkeeper under intense pressure—muscle memory developed through years of training.

Discussing the overall match, Rangel showed great respect for South Korea, believing their opponents were very strong and the game was highly competitive: "Our opponents are very capable; they pressed hard, and it was a difficult match. But we responded well to the challenge and got the result we wanted."

Despite his team securing back-to-back wins and early qualification, Rangel showed no excessive celebration. Instead, he reminded the team to stay sharp: "We need to put this win behind us quickly and not dwell on it. Even though the result was good, we must prepare immediately for the next match."

He added that his team played well in controlling the game but still has room for improvement: "I think we can play even better. Our opponents also gave their best, which is why the match was so tight. But we did an excellent job controlling the tempo and showed the dominance a strong team should have; we need to maintain this level."

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