Son Heung-min's World Cup ends in disappointment with no points and early exit

Son Heung-min's "last dance" at the World Cup concluded with disappointment, as the South Korean captain failed to register a single point and his team was prematurely eliminated. This marks a somber end to his fourth World Cup appearance, leaving him without the personal records he aimed to break.

The South Korean team's journey ended after a 0-1 loss to South Africa, placing them third in Group A. With only one win in three matches, they failed to secure a spot in the 32-team knockout stage, missing out on the top two spots in their group and not qualifying as one of the best third-place teams.

Son, now 34, had moved to the U.S. league specifically to manage his condition and adapt to the environment for this tournament, hoping to improve on his previous World Cup record of 3 goals and 1 assist. He had also aimed to surpass the national records for most goals and attacking points in World Cup history.

Despite creating space for teammates and drawing defensive attention, Son was unable to convert the few chances that came his way. His inability to score in this tournament, a stark contrast to his recent form in qualifying matches, left him visibly distraught after the final whistle. The early exit of the team, led by Son, adds to the sting of their performance.