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‘Burnham plans to return’ and ‘Four weeks from crunch’
Key events
78 mins: Brilliant from Hwang Hee-chan in midfield, collecting the clearance on the volley on the turn, twisting out of the Mexican press, driving forward, and swapping passes with Oh. With Mexico retreating Lee shoots from range but it is miles off target.
77 mins: Hong throws on Cho Gue-sung up front and brings off the industrious Paik Seung-ho.
76 mins: Yang thinks he’s created a goalscoring cross on the right flank but he is flagged offside, as many Koreans have before him tonight.
75 mins: Save! Quinones does well on the left again and curls over a cross that finds Jimenez at the far post. His first touch brings the ball down nicely and allows him to shoot on the stretching half-volley from a tight angle but Kim is out quickly to save. That was almost game set and match Mexico.
74 mins: That stoppage facilitates a decent couple of minutes for Mexico to attack down the left with Gaalrado and Quinones to the fore.
72 mins: South Korea attempt a long throw but Mexico deal with it comfortably in the air. Javier Aguirre then gestures theatrically at Yang who went down during a collision for which he was penalised.
70 mins: Two subs at the final drinks break for both teams. Mexico freshen up their midfield with Orbelin Pineda and Obed Vargas replacing Gutierrez and Romo. For Korea it’s the two wingbacks who are swapped out for Eom Ji-sung and Yang Hyun-jun.
Mexico might be leading but Space Purple is definitely going to be the winner on the day.
Here is that final hydration break. What has Hong got up his sleeve?
“This might be the worst game of football I’ve ever seen… and I’ve spent forty years supporting Derby County,” bemoans Ben Goodge. Before adding: “Your correspondents are quite right that only the combination of red/green kits could make it worse for me. But! Is a life of mockery and confusion for being colour blind worth it for the joy of discovering Space Purple? Absolutely.”
67 mins: Both teams have some possession in the final third. Mexico’s is sporadic, Korea’s is more controlled, but it stalls on the edge of the penalty area with the combinations that worked so well against Czechia failing to click.
66 mins: Mexico are doing just as the need, remaining calm, taking no risks. Gutierrez does well to spin on the half-turn in midfield and advance his team downfield, but there is little support with El Tri happy to slow everything down and defend their lead.
64 mins: The final hydration break is going to be crucial for Korea. Hong needs to shake things up. His trio of central defenders are being allowed all the time in the world on the ball, they need the more creative midfielders to come deep and accept that responsibility.
62 mins: An offside and some physical contact slow the play down, give Mexico chance to reset. They now look to be defending in more of a 5-4-1 out of possession, denying Korea any room in behind.
60 mins: South Korea have done well to settle things down following the goal, making their changes, circulating possession. Now they need to find some penetration from somewhere against an already well organised Mexican side now happy to sit back and protect a lead.
59 mins: It may be fitness-related but that is a clear indication of Son’s diminishing impact on the Taeguk Warriors.
57 mins: Here come the subs for Korea, and they are interesting ones. Hwang Hee-chan and Oh Hyeon-gyu come on… Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung make way.
And there’s a deserved yellow card for Paik for a late tackle.
55 mins: South Korea have some rare touches in the penalty area with Son benefiting from a high turnover. The skipper tries to fashion room but he’s too tightly marked and Lee does not attempt to shoot first time from the offload and Mexico clear.
54 mins: The match should open up now as Korea will be forced to chase the game. Surely it won’t be long before Hong utilises his bench.
52 mins: Romo plays his club football in this stadium and the fans that idolise him domestically go wild in celebration. It really was an awful moment for the Korean goalkeeper.
Quinones does well to curl over a cross from the left that Jimenez heads up into the air. Kim Seung-gyu comes out to claim in – and looks to have done a good job – but lands on top of Lee Gi-hyuk and in so doing spills the ball to the feet of Romo who stabs home into the empty net.
GOAL! Mexico 1-0 South Korea (Romo, 50)
Calamity for Kim and Korea!
48 mins: Adding to the sense of deja vu, Korea try the lofted throughball over the Mexican defence for a runner, but it’s attempted from too deep and poses no threat. And Mexico return to their hits, releasing Gallardo overlapping on the left but the fullback is forced wide and ends up shooting harmlessly wide.
47 mins: Korea dominated possession in the latter stages of the first half and they are back on the ball after the interval. Again the conservative stuff is not a problem but heading forward is problematic. Also continuing the theme of the first half both teams are willing in midfield with Romo robbed in possession then quick to win it back.
46 mins: No changes at the break.
The teams are back out for the second half as drone shots highlight how stunning this venue is, floating like a glowing UFO at the foothills of the Jalisco mountains.
Half-time stats:
End of stats.
“Interesting to see West Ham‘s forgotten man Edson Alvarez captaining Mexico again and clearing off his line, still on loan at Fenerbache,” emails Neill McGowan. “Strange that the Hammers never thought he could help with their defensive problems, insisting on playing him in midfield. No mention of him either in the list of players they might unload to avoid a points deduction due to consecutive years in the red.”
While I freshen up, enjoy this meandering dispatch from Jonathan Liew, who, like most of you, is not following the World Cup professionally.
The winner of this group will play in the round of 32 at the Azteca, which for El Tri would seem like a major incentive. However, as Saxon Baird points out, “if Mexico finishes second they play at SoFi for the round of 32 which will be essentially a home match.”
Back to the kits.
“What’s wrong with Mexico in green and South Korea in red?” asks Shaun T.
As Chris Rodgers has emailed in to suggest, I’m pretty sure it’s a red v green colourblindness / visual impairment issue.
Earlier, Joshua Reynolds commented on the shade of Korean purple. Ronald Stack would like it confirmed that is not THE Joshua Reynolds, 18th century portraitist and a man who know a thing or two about colours.
Oh wow. Massive boos ringing around Estadio Akron as the two teams walk off for half-time. The crowd was not treated to a spectacle of champagne football.
Half-time: Mexico-0-0 South Korea
Both teams seem happy with a draw and safe passage to the knockout phase ahead of a final round shootout to decide who finishes top.
45+2 mins: Has this been a good 0-0? It’s been tactical and intense. Or has it been a poor 0-0? It has lacked in goalmoouth action and neither side seems eager to take any risks that might open them up defensively on the counter.
45 mins: The ref comes over to have a word with Javier Aguirre. It’s all laughs and back pats. Meanwhile, Korea find some room on the right and a magnificent early cross catches Mexico flat footed. Lee Jae-sung just can’t get a touch to his despairing dive in the six-yard box.
44 mins: This is cagier than Donal Trump’s understanding of a gazebo on the front lawn.
43 mins: One of those long diagonals from earlier reaches Seol on the left to set Korea in motion again, but play is recycled into midfield and Mexico stagger 11 men behind the ball.
42 mins: Korea benefit from a ricochet and can slip Seol in behind but from a narrow angle his shot is wild. Technically I think that might pad the risible xG stats.
39 mins: Was this always going to be so risk averse? It makes sense given the state of the group, but I expected Mexico to be hell bent on victory in front of their home fans. As it is, South Korea have now enjoyed about five minutes of near unbroken possession with all the intensity of a mindfulness podcast.
Photograph: Héctor Vivas/FIFA/Getty Images
38 mins: Mexico’s players are content to watch the Space Purple possession eaters do their thing, focussing instead on covering the turf in their defensive web, denying passing lanes and tracking runners. Eventually the Asian powerhouses are forced to go back to Kim and start from scratch.
36 mins: For the first time all half Mexico drop off and allow Korea some concerted possession in the final third. They circulate the ball from one side to the other, check back then come out the other way, time and again, looking for the vertical pass. The crowd turns a gentle smattering of boos into a caterwaul of frustration.
35 mins: Yeah, this match has stalled. Hopefully there’s a rev-up at half-time and the introduction of a dribbler or two to take the game on.
34 mins: “Korea’s jerseys are a colour I associate with nose tissue containers,” correctly observes Joshua Reynolds.
33 mins: I’m starting to err away from being complimentary to the two defences towards being critical of the two attacks. The absence of any fluidity from either team is making this a jarring watch. So many misplaced passes and poorly timed runs.
31 mins: Mexico catch South Korea offside again. Unlike against Czechia, Korea’s throughballs are coming from deeper areas, allowing the defensive line greater visibility to track both ball and runner.
30 mins: Mexico let the ball do the work for a passage and invite Gallardo to cross from the left, but his centring delivery is overhit and El Tri have to recycle.
29 mins: Another marginal Korean offside. Lee Kang-in delivered a lovely lofted throughball but Lee Jae-sung had just sprung too soon. Mexico’s defensive line has been razor sharp.
27 mins: “Unfortunately this is one of those games in which 0-0 suits both sides,” emails Gary Stover. I guess, but Mexico will be very keen to finish top of the group and enjoy the easier route into the round of 32 and a return to the Azteca.
26 mins: The urgency of both sides in midfield means the ball has spent a considerable amount of time in dispute around halfway. This is fun for people like me, who grew up idolising Bryan Robson, but not ideal for free-flowing football.
James, like me, is under the misapprehension Korea are playing in Lavender, when it is in fact Space Purple.
“Can’t agree with you about the kits,” emails James Humphries, “iirc red (Korea) v green (Mexico) is a bad combination for some visual impairments, so fair enough, but I can’t believe black/lavender is the only plausible alternative for these teams with some cracking colours. Something to ponder during the ad – I mean water – break, no doubt.”
23 mins: Mexico are now playing the greater urgency and forcing the issue but they are struggling to move the ball cleanly in the final third against a committed Korean defence.
Time for some ads.
21 mins: Joshua Reynolds has perfectly described El Tri. “Mexico really excel at being boring, boring, boring, NOT BORING AT ALL”.
20 mins: Save! Superb play from Alvarado on the right, cutting in onto his left and curling over a wonderful cross that Quinones attacks on the penalty spot and directs a decent header that Kim is forced to dive to his right and save. Not only that, he holds onto the effort for good measure.
19 mins: Korea have made a couple of errors in possession across defence that haven’t cost them yet, but they need to be careful.
17 mins: Now Sanchez is offside on the overlap for Mexico. Lots of jabbing and attempted combinations so far but nothing is landing.
16 mins: Offside! But that was one of the all-time great World Cup goalline saves from Alvarez. Son thought he had sprung the offside trap, found by the vertical pass, and the LA man lofted a half-volley over the onrushing keeper and seemingly into the far corner, only for Alvarez to hurtle towards his own net and acrobatically volley clear. All moot once the offside flag is raise.
15 mins: Korea drop into a compact 5-3-2 structure and allow Mexico to dictate terms. El Tri are patient, looking for triangles to unleash Gallardo on the left, but the execution is off. It is very willing in midfield.
The Tories take Aberdeen South, while the SNP wins in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
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Reform UK gloomy about prospects in Makerfield, as one party source says Labour ahead by 2,500 votes – UK politics live | Politics
Reform UK gloomy about prospects in Makerfield, as one party source says Labour ahead by 2,500 votes
Josh Halliday is the Guardian’s North of England editor.
A Reform UK source just told me they currently expect to lose to Burnham by around 2,500 votes. An official spokesperson would not comment on numbers but said they believe it’s “fairly close” and that “no one’s running away with it.”
The spokesperson denied reports that Nigel Farage had left Makerfield, saying he had just been on the phone to him and he was still in the constituency.
Separately, a senior Labour source said it did not look like Restore Britain had been able to turnout its vote to the level that some had predicted.
They said Rupert Lowe’s hardline anti-immigration party could “possibly” achieve 7% of the vote but it was very unlikely to be higher than that.
Lowe, who is giving a series of media interviews, is believed to be claiming to have won 10% of the vote.
Key events
SNP concedes Aberdeen South with Scottish Conservatives set to win
The Scottish National party (SNP) has conceded defeat in the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives, Severin Carrell reports.
Reform UK ‘very happy’ to come a strong second in Makerfield, says Sarah Pochin
Sarah Pochin, the Reform UK MP, told GB News a bit earlier that her party would be “very happy” to come a strong second in Makerfield.
That is not technically a concession. But it is not what you say if you think you have a chance of winning.
Reform UK gloomy about prospects in Makerfield, as one party source says Labour ahead by 2,500 votes
Josh Halliday is the Guardian’s North of England editor.
A Reform UK source just told me they currently expect to lose to Burnham by around 2,500 votes. An official spokesperson would not comment on numbers but said they believe it’s “fairly close” and that “no one’s running away with it.”
The spokesperson denied reports that Nigel Farage had left Makerfield, saying he had just been on the phone to him and he was still in the constituency.
Separately, a senior Labour source said it did not look like Restore Britain had been able to turnout its vote to the level that some had predicted.
They said Rupert Lowe’s hardline anti-immigration party could “possibly” achieve 7% of the vote but it was very unlikely to be higher than that.
Lowe, who is giving a series of media interviews, is believed to be claiming to have won 10% of the vote.
The SNP have conceded defeat in Aberdeen South with a senior source saying it is the “Tories’ night”, but pledging to “win it back in 2029”, the Press Association reports.
Turnout in Aberdeen South 31.4% – down almost 30 points from general election
And here is the turnout from the Aberdeen South byelection. It was was 31.36% – down from 57.9% at the 2024 general election.
According to the BBC’s James Cook, in Aberdeen South “both sides seem pretty certain that the Tories have won this seat.”
Cook says:
There are lots of glum Scottish National Party faces at the Aberdeen South count and plenty of Conservative smiles.
The SNP candidate, Richard Thomson, looks particularly disconsolate.
If victory for the Conservative candidate, Douglas Lumsden, is confirmed, it will be a boost for the party’s UK leader, Kemi Badenoch who visited Aberdeen South three times, campaigning hard on a promise to support the flagging oil and gas industry, which is based here.
Turnout in Makerfield 58.75% – six points up on general election
We have the turnout figure for Makerfield now. It was turnout is 58.75% – up from 52.5% at the general election.
There were 45,510 votes cast.
Nandy says Labour ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Makerfield, and Burnham beat expectations pulling back Reform voters
Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary and MP for Wigan, the constituency next door to Makerfield, has told Sky News that Labour is “cautiously optimistic” about winning the byelection.
She said:
We’re cautiously optimistic. We always knew this would be a hard fight, but we are definitely seeing that Andy Burnham is able to pull some of our voters back from Reform in a way that just seven weeks ago at the local elections we would not thought was possible. We lost every ward in Makerfield to Reform at the local elections just seven short weeks ago and not be a small amount – by thousands of votes …
Whatever the result here tonight, the lesson is that we can actually change people’s minds, we can bring people back to us, we can defeat some of the division and anger that has been on display in this constituency in recent weeks.
Sometimes you can read too much into pictures, but the smile on Nandy’s face suggests “cautiously optimistic” might be a bit of an understatement.
Neither Labour or Reform camps were giving much away as counting got underway at the Edge convention centre in Wigan. A Reform spokesperson said it’s close while a senior Burnham aide said it was too early to tell, Josh Halliday and Hannah Al-Othman report.
Away from the official lines, Burnham supporters had been increasingly confident of victory and one of his team has just told reporters they were “really really pleased” with the campaign.
The Burnham aide said his team had knocked every single door in constituency in a week and a half and gone to every one seven times across the five week contest.
He said Burnham appeared to have a “significant lead” among women, in part no doubt due to the offensive remarks about women posted by Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon in recent years.
And he said it was not clear yet how well Restore Britain would fare. Polls predicted the hardline rightwing party would win about 7% of the vote, which could be enough to split the rightwing vote in favour of Burnham.
The Makerfield turnout is reportedly very high. Sky News has said it could be 60%, and the BBC has said it could be between 60% and 65%. At the general election it was just 52.5%.
Prof Sir John Curtice, the BBC’s lead elections expert, said that the last time byelection turnout was higher than at the proceeding general election was at the Glasgow Hillhead byelection in 1982. But he also said that if the turnout ended up 11 percentage points higher than at the general election, this would be the first time that had happened since the Torrington byelection in 1958. That was a win for the Liberal candidate, Mark Bonham Carter, in a seat that had previously been held by a National Liberal/Conservative.
SNP reportedly worried they could lose Aberdeen South to Tories
The Scottish Conservatives are optimistic about their chances of winning Aberdeen South, the BBC is reporting. Tom Gordon from the Scottish Daily Mail is hearing the same thing. Paul Hutcheon from the Daily Record says the SNP, who are defending the seat, are “anxious”.
Severin Carrell described the contest in Aberdeen South in this article earlier this week.
Kemi Badenoch has said, if her party wins this byelection, it will be a vote for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
On the BBC’s election programme, Jess Phillips, the former safeguarding minister, said her ideal outcome from Makerfield would be for Andy Burnham to win and for Keir Starmer to be given the chance to make a “dignified” exit. She said she did not want to see “chaos”, with lots of ministers resigning.
Phillips resigned as a minister last month saying she wanted Starmer to quit.
Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin defends video urging England team to ‘keep winning’ to stop domestic violence escalating
Sarah Pochin, the Reform UK MP, is at the Makerfield count on behalf of her party tonight and she has had to take questions about this video she posted on social media earlier.
In it she says:
England won the football last night.
And thank god they did because, on the occasions that England lose their football matches, the incidents of domestic violence go through the roof.
So, boys. Keep winning.
Asked about this on Sky News, Pochin stressed her record as a magistrate dealing with domestic violence and defended the point she was making – that this is a link between teams losing, and increased incidents of domestic violence.
But she did not seem to grasp that people are criticising her for not explicitly condemning the abusers, and instead suggesting it was somehow the England football team’s responsibility to prevent women being attacked.
Thangam Debbonaire, the Labour peer, was being interviewed at the same time and she told Pochin that in her remarks she “did not put responsibility on the men who do it”.
Council officials in Makerfield say they expect the result around 3am, my colleague Josh Halliday, who’s at the count, tells me.
Here are some more pictures from the count venue.
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