South Korea beats El Salvador 1-0 in final World Cup tune-up

South Korea's national football team concluded their preparatory matches with a 1-0 victory over El Salvador in a friendly game held in Provo, Utah. This win marks the end of their pre-World Cup drills, with the team now having completed their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

However, the team's performance against El Salvador, ranked 100th in the FIFA rankings, revealed persistent issues. Frequent passing mistakes and a generally uninspired offensive performance were evident throughout the match. These shortcomings are considered critical areas that coach Hong Myung-bo's squad must address before the tournament begins.

The match saw significant changes in the starting lineup, including players like Cho Gue-sung and Hwang Hee-chan in attack, and Lee Tae-seok, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-beom, and Kim Min-jae in defense. Despite the new combinations, the team struggled in the first half, displaying heavy legs and a lack of concentration, which led to unforced errors in possession and critical defensive lapses.

The breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute from a set-piece. Midfielder Lee Dong-gyeong scored the opening goal with a precise left-footed free-kick from the edge of the penalty area. Following the goal, coach Hong Myung-bo made a series of substitutions, introducing key players like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, which injected more dynamism into the attack. Lee Kang-in, in particular, showcased his skill with effective movement, short passes, and creative playmaking that unsettled the El Salvadoran defense.

While the team secured two wins in their preparatory matches, including a dominant 5-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago, the recurring problems of build-up play errors and difficulty breaking down compact defenses persist. The team's ability to resolve these issues will be crucial for their performance in the upcoming World Cup.

“

The rehearsal is over. Adaptation to high altitude is also complete. Now the remaining task is clear. How much to reduce errors in the build-up play based on the three-back system, and how to improve the sluggish attack that couldn't break through the opponent's dense defense will be the key to the performance in the main tournament.