MONTERREY, Mexico — South Korea needed only to avoid defeat against South Africa on Wednesday to secure progression to the 2026 World Cup knockout stage. A draw would have guaranteed second place and a round of 32 meeting with Canada in Los Angeles on June 28, but coach Hong Myung-Bo left captain Son Heung-Min out of the starting XI in a move described as a significant gamble.
The decision did not pay off. South Africa recorded a 1-0 victory, leaving South Korea third in the group and forcing them to wait until the end of the group stage on Saturday to learn whether they will advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
Supporters made their feelings clear before kickoff. Son drew a huge roar when he appeared on the stadium big screen during warmups, but that noise turned to jeers when the starting lineup was announced and his name was not among the 11. It was Son’s first time on the bench to start a World Cup match since 2010, after 12 consecutive starts in the tournament.
South Korea began promisingly without their talisman. Stand-in captain Kim Min-Jae almost opened the scoring in the second minute when his header from a Lee Kang-In corner was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba. Lee Kang-In also forced a near-miss shortly after, but South Africa grew into the game and appeared increasingly likely to break the deadlock as the half progressed.
Thapelo Maseko was a constant threat down South Africa’s right, producing a 19th-minute run that required a last-ditch block from Lee Gi-Hyuk. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu produced a crucial double save around the half hour, parrying a long-range effort from Thalente Mbatha and smothering a follow-up from close range, though Evidence Makgopa may have been offside.
Son’s introduction at the start of the second half again drew a roar, but South Africa remained dangerous. Lee Han-Beom made a vital block in the 51st minute as Maseko continued to probe, and three minutes after the hour mark South Africa took a deserved lead. The result leaves South Korea awaiting the final group outcomes to determine their fate in the tournament.
