[Official] Hong Myung-bo's era is truly over: '32-team failure' — Son Heung-min's last dance ends in vain... Uzbekistan suffers 3-1 comeback defeat against Congo

*This content was translated by AI.

It is over. Hong Myung-bo's team has failed to advance to the round of 32. Regardless of the final results in Group J, elimination from the group stage is confirmed.

On the 28th (Korea time), Uzbekistan suffered a 3-1 comeback defeat against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the final third-round match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Qualifiers Group K, held at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, USA. In the same group, the match between Colombia and Portugal ended in a 0-0 draw.

As a result, Colombia secured first place in Group K with two wins and one draw (7 points). Colombia will face Ghana in the round of 32 at the Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, USA, on the 4th of next month. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal finished second in the group with one win and two draws (5 points). The Democratic Republic of the Congo finished third in the group with one win, one draw, and one loss (4 points), and advanced to the round of 32 by ranking among the top eight third-place teams.

This tournament has been expanded to include 48 teams. In addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best-performing third-place teams among the 12th groups will also advance to the round of 32. South Korea finished third in Group A with one win and two losses (3 points), scoring two goals and conceding three, with a goal difference of -1. Although a draw against South Africa in the final third-round match would have secured second place in Group A and advancement to the round of 32, the 0-1 defeat left South Korea dependent on results from other groups.

South Korea no longer had any margin for error. With matches remaining in Groups K and J, two scenarios had to align for South Korea to advance to the round of 32. If even one scenario failed, elimination was certain. However, the worst possible outcome occurred in Group K.

From South Korea's perspective, Uzbekistan had to avoid losing to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If the Democratic Republic of the Congo won, they would have earned four points and surpassed South Korea. Conversely, Uzbekistan had suffered heavy defeats in their previous two matches, leaving them with a significantly inferior goal difference. If Uzbekistan had won or drawn, South Korea would have retained its last hope.

However, Uzbekistan ultimately could not hold on. Making their debut in a World Cup finals tournament for the first time in history, Uzbekistan aimed to secure their first-ever points on the world stage against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At one point, they offered hope to South Korea as well. However, their defense collapsed in the second half, and South Korea's possibilities for advancing to the round of 32 vanished along with it.

Fabio Cannavaro, the coach of Uzbekistan, deployed a 5-4-1 formation. Abdukodir Husanov, a center-back playing for Manchester City in England, started the match. The Democratic Republic of the Congo countered with a 4-4-2 formation.

The early atmosphere of the first half favored Uzbekistan. Just 20 seconds into the match, it seemed as though the goal net would be shaken. A shot from Dostonbek Hamdamov (Pakhtakor Tashkent) on the wing was saved by the goalkeeper, but Eldor Shomurodov (Basaksehir), standing nearby, took a second shot that resulted in a goal.

However, the referee ruled it offside. The decision remained unchanged even after video assistant referee (VAR) review. Uzbekistan's goal was not recognized.

Nevertheless, Uzbekistan scored the opening goal in the 10th minute of the first half. Shomurodov, who had previously been left disappointed by an offside call, opened the goal net once again. Uzbekistan took a 1-0 lead. This was also a welcome development for South Korea.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo immediately launched a counterattack. In the 18th minute of the first half, Nadanael Mbuku (Augsburg) shook the goal net with a powerful left-footed shot. However, the decision was overturned again. It was determined that Mbuku swung his arm while advancing the attack, and the arm struck a Uzbekistan player's face. The referee disallowed the goal. This was a fortunate moment for South Korea.

However, the momentum completely shifted in the second half. Uzbekistan's defense collapsed. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Husanov committed a foul inside the penalty box. The referee awarded a penalty kick. Yawin Bissa (Newcastle), who took the kick, calmly scored the equalizing goal.

Having seized the momentum, the Democratic Republic of the Congo scored the go-ahead goal in the 33rd minute of the second half. Piston Mayele (Pyramids) did not miss the decisive opportunity and finished the play. It was a fatal error for Uzbekistan and, in effect, a goal signaling South Korea's elimination.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo added a late goal in stoppage time. Bissa once again emerged as the hero. Uzbekistan could no longer catch up. The match ultimately ended with a 3-1 victory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

With this result, South Korea's chances of advancing to the round of 32 disappeared. There was no longer a need to wait for the results of Group J. By securing four points, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ensured that South Korea could not finish among the top eight third-place teams.

Son Heung-min's last dance at the World Cup also ended in vain. Son Heung-min was widely regarded as participating in what would effectively be his final World Cup. However, South Korea could not overcome the shock of the defeat against South Africa in the final group stage match. It was an utterly futile ending.

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*This content was translated by AI.