The South Korea national football team has not won a second match in the World Cup for 72 years. After losing 0-1 to Mexico, Korea continues to struggle with the second match curse. Korea's World Cup second match record is 4 draws and 8 losses. Japanese media Yahoo Japan analyzed Korea's second match curse. Yahoo Japan said, 'Korea has not won a single second match since its first World Cup appearance in 1954. The record is 4 draws and 8 losses.' Korea lost 1-3 to Spain in the 1990 Italy World Cup, and lost 0-5 to the Netherlands in the 1998 France World Cup. In the 2006 Germany World Cup, Korea drew 1-1 with France. In the 2010 South Africa World Cup, Korea lost 1-4 to Argentina. Korea has struggled in the second match even when not facing strong teams. In the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, Korea drew 1-1 with the United States in the second match. In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Korea lost 2-3 to Ghana. In the 2018 Russia World Cup, Korea lost 1-2 to Mexico. Yahoo Japan said, 'Despite struggling in the second match, Korea's fate is often decided in the third match. In 2002, 2010, and 2022, Korea earned points in the third match and advanced to the round of 16.' Korea can advance to the tournament if it earns points against South Africa in the third match.