South Korea face South Africa with knockout spot at stake

A draw is enough, South Korea face South Africa in the group finale

This is it. South Korea go into the final Group A match against South Africa knowing a draw sends them through to the knockout stage (1) (2). After the 0–1 loss to Mexico, Son Heung-min and Kim Seung-gyu have to lift the squad for one last push. The stakes are brutally simple: avoid defeat and you keep playing (1).

Mexico loss leaves no more margin for error

South Korea 0–1 Mexico in the second group match. Luis Romo scored the only goal, punishing a mistake from Min-Jae Kim that the Mexicans pounced on (2). The defence looked vulnerable under pressure, and the attack could not turn possession into a breakthrough. That result, paired with the opening loss to the Czech Republic, means your team enters the South Africa match with everything on the line.