South Korea Eliminated from World Cup; Media Calls it 'Regrettable End' for Son Heung-min

South Korea's hopes of advancing in the World Cup were dashed following the Democratic Republic of Congo's 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan. This result placed South Korea ninth in the third-place team rankings, confirming their elimination from the tournament. The outcome has been met with dismay by South Korean media, with some outlets describing it as a "predictable tragedy" and a "regrettable end" for their star player, Son Heung-min. This marks the second time in three World Cup appearances that South Korea has failed to reach the knockout stage, having been eliminated in the group stage in the 2018 Russia World Cup. Despite a favorable group draw, which did not include football powerhouses like Argentina, France, or Brazil, South Korea struggled. After an initial win against Czech Republic, the team faltered in their match against Mexico and ultimately lost to South Africa. Media reports criticized the team's performance, particularly the loss to South Africa, calling it a "disgrace in South Korean football history." The disappointment is amplified by the fact that this World Cup may have been Son Heung-min's last, adding a layer of personal regret to the team's collective failure. The dream of reaching the Round of 32 was extinguished after three days of fluctuating hope, marking South Korea's ninth group-stage exit in their World Cup history.