'Hero Debut' Song Min-gyu! Late equalizer in a losing position → game-winning goal explosion... Seoul stages thrilling 4-2 comeback victory over Daejeon [Sangam Live Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

FC Seoul secured a thrilling comeback victory over Daejeon Hana Citizen thanks to Song Min-gyu's two-goal performance.

On the afternoon of the 15th at 7:30 p.m., Seoul defeated Daejeon 4-2 in their home match of the 23rd round of 'Hana Bank K-League 2026' at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

After three consecutive draws (two draws, one loss), Seoul maintained first place with 47 points (14 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses), leading second-place Ulsan by 10 points. Meanwhile, Daejeon's two-game winning streak ended, leaving them in ninth place with 26 points (6 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses).

Seoul, led by coach Kim Ki-dong, deployed a 4-4-2 formation. Clemylla and Lee Seung-mo started as the forward duo, supported by Anderson, Babets, Son Jeong-beom, and Jung Seung-won in the second line. The back four consisted of Kim Jin-soo, Ross, Yazan, and Park Soo-il. Goalkeeper Gu Seong-yun wore the gloves.

Daejeon, under coach Hwang Sun-hong, countered with a 4-4-2 setup. Masahiro and Joo Min-gyu formed the front two, while Rubikson and Eom Won-sang operated as left and right wingers respectively. The midfield was built by Kang Yun-seong and Kim Bong-su. The defensive line included Lee Myung-jae, Anton, Cho Sung-kwon, and Kim Moon-hwan. Lee Chang-geun guarded the goal.

Seoul recorded the first shot of the match in the third minute of the first half. Anderson broke through on the left flank and threaded a pass to the center, but Babets' low-range shot from a distance missed the goal by a wide margin.

Daejeon responded quickly. In the ninth minute, Eom Won-sang intercepted Ross's clearance, drove into the penalty box, and unleashed a dangerous shot that goalkeeper Gu Seong-yun hastily deflected away.

Thanks to the refreshing weather, both teams displayed active movement early in the match. Both sides created chances through fast-paced, direct passing.

Seoul missed a critical opportunity in the 13th minute of the first half. Clemylla charged forward to head a cross delivered by Jung Seung-won from the right flank but sent it wide to the left of the goal.

As the first half progressed, Daejeon seized control. In the 19th minute, following Eom Won-sang's breakthrough, both Masahiro and Joo Min-gyu took shots that missed the target. In the 23rd minute, Eom Won-sang received a skillful heel pass from Joo Min-gyu and shot quickly from the arc circle, but the ball struck a defender's foot and went out of play.

A penalty kick (PK) was awarded to Seoul but later disallowed. In the 27th minute of the first half, Clemylla was fouled by Anton inside Daejeon's box, prompting the referee to immediately award a PK. However, after video assistant referee (VAR) review, it was corrected that Clemylla had pushed Anton before falling, and the penalty was cancelled.

Daejeon took the lead through Joo Min-gyu's opening goal. In the 38th minute of the first half, during a corner kick situation, the ball flowed outward, but Kang Yun-seong re-injected it into the box. Joo Min-gyu then scored with a spectacular overhead kick, marking his second consecutive game goal and fourth of the season.

The first half ended 1-0 in favor of Daejeon.

Seoul equalized early in the second half. In the third minute, Kim Jin-soo's low cross from the left flank deflected off Kim Moon-hwan's face toward the goal, and Clemylla struck it with his right foot to shake the net.

Daejeon counterattacked again. In the ninth minute of the second half, after a counter-attack opportunity, Rubikson curled a shot from outside the box with his right foot but narrowly missed the target.

Seoul, buoyed by their equalizer, continued to press. In the 11th minute, goalkeeper Lee Chang-geun tipped Jung Seung-won's shot with his toe. Jung took another shot immediately after, but this time it was blocked by a defender.

Seoul, which had been dominating, lost the lead again due to a critical error by Kim Jin-soo followed by an own goal. In the 17th minute of the second half, Kim Jin-soo headed a pass toward goalkeeper Gu Seong-yun, but the ball went past him and into the net.

With an equalizer urgently needed, Seoul continued to threaten Daejeon's goal but without success. In the 27th minute, Lee Chang-geun made a diving save against Song Min-gyu's shot, and Jung Seung-won's subsequent attempt was blocked by a defender with his body.

The relentless Seoul finally scored the equalizer through Song Min-gyu following Kim Jin-soo's crucial cross. In the 35th minute, Song Min-gyu headed in a cross delivered by Kim Jin-soo into the penalty area. After the ball hit the post and rebounded, Song Min-gyu headed it again into the net to level the score. Kim Jin-soo approached coach Kim Ki-dong with a determined expression and apologized.

Buoyed by their momentum, Seoul scored the go-ahead goal just three minutes later. Song Min-gyu, who had scored the equalizer, netted his second goal of the match. Receiving a pass from Moon Seon-min, Song Min-gyu dribbled past a defender and shot; the ball struck a defender's foot, deflected, and rolled into the goal.

With control firmly in their hands, Seoul added another goal through Jung Seung-won in stoppage time of the second half, concluding the match with a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory.

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*This content was translated by AI.