Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in scored for his second straight match, as Korea defeated China 1-0 at home Tuesday to conclude the second round in the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lee netted his 10th international goal in front of 64,935 fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium in the final Group C match of the second round in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) World Cup qualification.
Korea had already clinched the top spot in their group, and also a ticket to the third round, after beating Singapore 7-0 last Thursday. China, on the other hand, needed at least a draw to reach the third round without needing help from other teams.
China hung tough for 60 minutes, frustrating Korean attackers with their suffocating defense, before Lee finally broke the ice just past the hour mark.
All 10 of Lee’s goals have come in the past 15 matches.
Korea struggled to unlock the Chinese defense in the first half, despite spending the majority of the opening 45 minutes in the opposing zone.
Unable to find shooting lanes with a series of passes, Korea needed some individual brilliance from captain 카지노 Son Heung-min to generate looks. In the 20th minute, Son cut in from the left wing toward the center in his signature move, before sending a low shot easily saved by goalkeeper Wang Dalei.
Son won a free kick outside the box in the next minute, but his spot kick ricocheted off a Chinese defender before landing on the top of the net.
Korea held a 92-8 advantage in ball possession at one point, but China pushed back a bit in the latter part of the first half, with shots getting blocked or missing the target.
Korea finally solved China in the 61st minute, courtesy of Lee.