South Korea Media: 'Players Play Like Food Poisoning'
Mexico. South Korea media confused by lifeless home team play in 0-1 loss to South Africa, final Group A match, World Cup 2026.
South Korea need draw to secure second in Group A. Thapelo Maseko goal minute 63 lose direct round of 16 ticket. Coach Hong Myung-bo squad control ball 68% but lack attack ideas, look tired.
On Naver social media, South Korea fans feel team form drop. Follow explosive 2-1 comeback win against Czech Republic, then close 0-1 loss to Mexico from goalkeeper mistake.
"Reporter compare play to food poisoning. Coach Hong Myung-bo ask if force majeure exist before match," Star News Korea write. "Question imply play incomprehensible without external factors."
South Korea forward Son Heung-min bite shirt in disappointment after South Korea lose 0-1 to South Africa, final Group A match, World Cup 2026, Monterrey stadium, Mexico, June 24, 2026. Photo: AP
Coach Hong not avoid question, deny issues. "No blame elsewhere. Worst match since World Cup 2026 start," coach born 1969 say at press conference. "Lose from wrong judgment, bad decision. Result my responsibility."
Temperature 33 degrees Celsius, hot air at Monterrey stadium exhaust players early. Coach admit temperature difference between base camp and Monterrey affect play, but must accept preparation.
- Maseko open score for South Africa.
Bench Son Heung-min first time after 12 World Cup starts seen as Hong mistake. Coach think bring Son second half better when opponent tire, defense open.
"Hong Myung-bo bold gamble end in failure," South Korea newspaper Dailian headline.
"South Korea surprise bench superstar. Seem they judge advance chance high," ESPN write. "Final result show exclude Son from starting lineup serious mistake."
UK BBC Sports say forward born 1992 have one touch in South Africa box, "invisible". The Athletic say South Korea want try new approach after Mexico loss. "But choice put heavier burden on team," US outlet write.
Disappointment spread among South Korea players. Lee Kang-in vent frustration, punch and scream into Monterrey air. Admit "own skill lack," promise reflect to improve.
- Lee Kang In shoot wide.
Captain Son Heung-min bite shirt, go to doping test. Vice-captain Kim Min-jae leave late second half with calf injury. Bayern center-back call this team lesson, hope advance to fight in round of 16.
"Lose when draw enough to advance. Only can say sorry," Kim say. "No matter how hard, must try. Hot weather, tired body, must overcome to move forward."
Midfielder Hwang In-beom say distance between players too wide, help opponent counter-attack, trouble team. German-born left back Jens Castrop happy first play for South Korea in World Cup, but fail to mark Maseko in conceded goal. He say: "My fault, fail to close angle. But moment on field different from watch on bench."
South Korea midfielder Lee Kang-in bow head in disappointment after South Korea lose 0-1 to South Africa, final Group A match, World Cup 2026, Monterrey stadium, Mexico, June 24, 2026. Photo: AP
Opposing side, Coach Hugo Broos say South Africa players push past limits, despite start with loss to Mexico. He praise South Korea quick, high intensity, good at exploit space behind defense. However, good lineup setup neutralize Son, teammates. South Africa also have fast players to counter-attack, win.
74-year-old coach consider retirement if team stop at group stage. But players not let happen. "Very emotional to win. When goal came, thrilled, high emotion," Broos say.
Result help South Africa advance as Group A runner-up, face Canada in round of 16. South Korea must wait for other groups' results, hope advance as one of best third-place teams.
World Cup 2026 Standings
Third-place teams Played +/- Points [1
Mexico](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/mexico-16)
3
6
**9**[2
South Africa](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/nam-phi-1531)
3
-1
**4**[3
South Korea](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/han-quoc-17)
3
-1
**3**[4
Czech Republic](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ch-czech-770)
3
-4
**1**[1
Switzerland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-si-15)
3
4
**7**[2
Canada](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/canada-5529)
3
5
**4**[3
Bosnia & Herz.](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bosnia-herz-1113)
3
-1
**4**[4
Qatar](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/qatar-1569)
3
-8
**1**[1
Brazil](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/brazil-6)
3
6
**7**[2
Morocco](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/morocco-31)
3
3
**7**[3
Scotland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/scotland-1108)
3
-3
**3**[4
Haiti](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/haiti-2386)
3
-6
**0**[1
USA](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/my-2384)
2
5
**6**[2
Australia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/australia-20)
2
0
**3**[3
Paraguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/paraguay-2380)
2
-2
**3**[4
Turkey](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tho-nhi-ky-777)
2
-3
**0**[1
Germany](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/duc-25)
2
7
**6**[2
Ivory Coast](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bo-bien-nga-1501)
2
0
**3**[3
Ecuador](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ecuador-2382)
2
-1
**1**[4
Curaçao](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/curacao-5530)
2
-6
**1**[1
Netherlands](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ha-lan-1118)
2
4
**4**[2
Japan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/nhat-ban-12)
2
4
**4**[3
Sweden](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-dien-5)
2
0
**3**[4
Tunisia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tunisia-28)
2
-8
**0**[1
Egypt](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ai-cap-32)
2
2
**4**[2
Iran](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/iran-22)
2
0
**2**[3
Belgium](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bi-1)
2
0
**2**[4
New Zealand](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/new-zealand-4673) 2 -2 1[1
Spain](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tay-ban-nha-9)
2
4
**4**[2
Uruguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/uruguay-7)
2
0
**2**[3
Cape Verde](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/cape-verde-1533)
2
0
**2**[4
Saudi Arabia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/saudi-arabia-23)
2
-4
**1**[1
France](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/phap-2)
2
5
**6**[2
Norway](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/na-uy-1090)
2
4
**6**[3
Senegal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/senegal-13)
2
-3
**0**[4
Iraq](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/iraq-1567)
2
-6
**0**[1
Argentina](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/argentina-26)
2
5
**6**[2
Austria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ao-775)
2
0
**3**[3
Algeria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/algeria-1532)
2
-2
**3**[4
Jordan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/jordan-1548)
2
-3
**0**[1
Colombia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/colombia-8)
2
3
**6**[2
Portugal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bo-dao-nha-27)
2
5
**4**[3
DR Congo](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/chdc-congo-1508)
2
-1
**1**[4
Uzbekistan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/uzbekistan-1568)
2
-7
**0**[1
England](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/anh-10)
2
2
**4**[2
Ghana](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ghana-1504)
2
1
**4**[3
Croatia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/croatia-3)
2
-1
**3**[4
Panama](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/panama-11)
2
-2
**0**[1
Bosnia & Herz.](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bosnia-herz-1113)
3
-1
**4**[2
Sweden](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-dien-5)
2
0
**3**[3
Croatia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/croatia-3)
2
-1
**3**[4
South Korea](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/han-quoc-17)
3
-1
**3**[5
Algeria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/algeria-1532)
2
-2
**3**[6
Paraguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/paraguay-2380)
2
-2
**3**[7
Scotland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/scotland-1108)
3
-3
**3**[8
Cape Verde](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/cape-verde-1533) 2 0 2[9
Belgium](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bi-1)
2
0
**2**[10
DR Congo](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/chdc-congo-1508)
2
-1
**1**[11
Ecuador](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ecuador-2382)
2
-1
**1**[12
Senegal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/senegal-13)
2
-3
**0**
Winning team Best player Top scorer
Remaining prediction time: 20 days
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