The South Korea national football team has not won a single second match in the World Cup for 72 years. After losing 0-1 to Mexico, Korea continues its second-match curse. Korea's World Cup second-match record stands at 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 stands at 4 draws and 8 losses.' Korea lost 1-3 to Spain in the 1990 Italy World Cup and 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 often struggles in the second match even when facing weaker teams. In the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, Korea drew 1-1 with the United States. 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 has successfully advanced to the round of 16.' Korea's fate was decided in the third match in 2002, 2010, and 2022. If Korea earns points in the third match against South Africa, it can advance to the tournament.