Look for Mexico’s clash with South Korea to feature over 1.5 goals. There have already been a series of 1-1 draws at this year's World Cup, and it would not be a surprise to see another here.

Moreover, eight of Mexico’s 13 friendly matches in the build-up to the tournament featured at least two goals, including three of their final four fixtures. That trend continued into their curtain-raiser against South Africa last Thursday, which ended in a 2-0 win. 

As for South Korea, they come into this clash off the back of a 2-1 win over Czechia. Prior to that, seven of the Taegeuk Warriors’ 10 matches produced over 1.5 goals, further strengthening the case for a repeat against Mexico on Friday.

Back Son Heung-min to attempt at least two shots. The South Korean superstar remains his country’s biggest attacking threat and doesn’t need much encouragement to go for goal.

That was clear to see against Czechia last week, when he fired in a total of six efforts. It was a similar story during World Cup qualification, with the former Tottenham man averaging 3.22 shots per 90. Notably, the 33-year-old also registered multiple efforts in three of the Taegeuk Warriors’ four friendly fixtures ahead of the tournament.

Son also takes responsibility for penalties and free kicks, which only adds to the appeal of this selection.

Julian Quinones looks well placed to hit the target at least once against South Korea. The Mexican forward was arguably his team’s standout performer against South Africa, scoring with one of his five attempts on goal. A closer look shows that one of those other five efforts also forced a save from the South African goalkeeper.

Quinones also registered an on-target effort in El Tri’s final friendly fixture ahead of the tournament against Serbia, while he hit the target two times against Belgium earlier this year.

It should also be noted that he arrived at the World Cup off the back of a stunning season in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Qadsiah, scoring 37 goals and averaging 1.94 shots on target per game.

Raul Jimenez is another player to back to hit the target against South Korea on Friday. The veteran Mexico forward made the net bulge with one of his two shots against South Africa in last week’s World Cup opener.

A deeper look shows that 11 of Jimenez’s 46 goals for Mexico have come since the start of 2025, underlining just how consistently he has been hitting the target at international level. He also tested opposition goalkeepers regularly in the Premier League last season, averaging 0.78 on-target efforts per game for Fulham.

Like the aforementioned Son Heung-min, Jimenez also tends to be on spot-kick duty, which only adds weight to this angle.

Lee Kang-In looks the standout candidate to be fouled at least twice during this contest. The South Korean ace was targeted heavily against Czechia last week, being brought down on four occasions. That was also a recurring theme throughout friendly fixtures in the lead-up to the World Cup, where he drew an average of 3.03 fouls per game across three appearances. 

Despite not being a regular starter in Ligue 1 for PSG last season, he still managed to force an average 1.12 fouls won per 90. 

Lee Kang-In is likely to be closely watched by combative Mexico midfielder Brian Gutierrez, who committed two fouls against South Africa and picked up a yellow card.