'Lee Dong-gyeong's Free-Kick Winner' Hong Myung-bo's Team Edges El Salvador 1-0... Struggling Under Pressure from 100th-Ranked Team, 'World Cup Challenges Confirmed'

*This content was translated by AI.

Hong Myung-bo's squad barely secured a victory in the final mock exam before the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, thanks to a free-kick goal by Lee Dong-gyeong.

Ranked 25th in the FIFA rankings, South Korea defeated 100th-ranked El Salvador 1-0 in a friendly match held at 10 a.m. (Korean time) on the 4th at South Field of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, USA.

South Korea deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation. A significantly altered starting lineup from the previous match against Trinidad and Tobago was fielded. Leading the front line was striker Cho Gue-sung, with Lee Dong-gyeong and Hwang Hee-chan spearheading attacks from the left and right flanks, respectively. The midfield was formed by Lee Jae-sung and Hwang In-beom. The left and right wing-backs were Lee Tae-seok and Seol Young-woo, while the three-man defense consisted of Lee Ki-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Han-beom. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu wore the gloves.

Struggling somewhat against El Salvador's high pressing in the early stages, South Korea attempted to shift the momentum with a dangerous free kick from Hwang In-beom. In the 7th minute of the first half, a long-range shot by Hwang In-beom was parried away by the goalkeeper with both hands.

South Korea frequently exposed space behind their defense. In the 19th minute of the first half, they allowed Baladares to break through, resulting in a shot inside the penalty area, but fortunately avoided serious danger.

Tied down by El Salvador's intense first-line pressing, South Korea could not execute their intended game plan, sticking to backline build-up play until the middle of the first half.

South Korea's second shot of the match finally came in the 28th minute. Seol Young-woo, receiving the ball on the right side of the box, dribbled past defenders and cut inside, shooting with his left foot, but the shot was blocked by the opposing defense. One minute later, a free kick from Hwang Hee-chan from a long distance also sailed well over the crossbar.

South Korea maintained high ball possession for the remainder of the first half and attempted attacks, but failed to create any significant scoring opportunities. Although Hwang In-beom struck another dangerous free kick from a long distance during stoppage time in the first half, the goalkeeper parried it away. The first half ended 0-0.

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*This content was translated by AI.