Lee Dong-gyeong's free-kick winner! Hong Myung-bo's team narrowly defeats El Salvador 1-0... Struggling under pressure from the 100th-ranked team, confirming "World Cup tasks"

*This content was translated by AI.

Hong Myung-bo's team managed a narrow 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 changed 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 leading attacks on 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 center-backs were Lee Ki-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Han-beom. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu wore the gloves.

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

South Korea frequently exposed space behind its defense. In the 19th minute of the first half, it allowed a breakthrough by Baladares, resulting in a shot inside the penalty area, but fortunately escaped serious danger.

Tied down by El Salvador's intense first-line pressing, South Korea could not play as intended, 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 of the first half. Seol Young-woo, receiving the ball on the right side of the box, cut inside past defenders and shot with his left foot, but the shot was blocked by the opposing defense. One minute later, Hwang Hee-chan's free kick from a long distance also sailed well over the goal.

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

Coach Hong Myung-bo substituted Lee Han-beom with the newly selected Jo Wi-je at the start of the second half. This marked Jo Wi-je's first appearance in an A-match.

South Korea missed a promising chance to take the lead early in the second half. In the 7th minute of the second half, Seol Young-woo, who had penetrated the left flank of the defense, quickly delivered a low cross, and Lee Dong-gyeong connected with a right-footed non-stop shot, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.

South Korea took the lead with a powerful free kick from Lee Dong-gyeong. In the 12th minute of the second half, South Korea won a free kick outside the box on the right side. Lee Dong-gyeong, taking the kick, shook the net with a magnificent left-footed free kick.

Coach Hong Myung-bo made a series of substitutions in the 17th minute of the second half to assess the overall condition of the squad. Seven players were substituted at once: Son Heung-min, Oh Hyun-gyu, Jens Castrof, Baek Seung-ho, Kim Jin-gyu, Lee Kang-in, and Yang Hyun-jun.

With key players like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in entering the field, the team's linking play became much smoother than in the first half. However, no particularly dangerous shooting opportunities arose.

In the 30th minute of the second half, Castrof, finding space from a long distance outside the goal, boldly took a mid-range shot, which the goalkeeper caught head-on. Three minutes later, Son Heung-min, receiving a pass from Castrof, cut inside from the center of the box and shot, but missed the target, sailing well wide of the goal.

South Korea continued to seek opportunities through Lee Kang-in's passing plays until the late stages of the second half, but ultimately no field goal was scored, and the match ended with a one-goal victory for South Korea.

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*This content was translated by AI.