The South Korean men’s national football team suffered a significant setback on Monday, September 28, 2026, falling 4-1 to Uruguay in an international friendly at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The match marked the first defeat for interim manager Robert Moreno following his 3-0 victory over Ecuador the previous week.
Uruguay, led by interim coach Diego Forlán, dominated much of the contest using clinical finishing and rapid counter-attacks. While the scoreline reflected a difficult night for the hosts, the match featured a historic milestone for South Korean captain Son Heung-min.
First Half Collapse: Uruguay Takes Command
South Korea struggled to maintain control from the opening whistle. The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute when Darwin Núñez converted a precise through pass from Giorgian de Arrascaeta. Uruguay doubled their advantage in the 27th minute when De Arrascaeta scored a long-range strike from approximately 27 meters out.
The deficit grew to three just before halftime due to a defensive lapse that resulted in an own goal by Kim Min-jae. Uruguay’s tactical discipline and the attacking presence of Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Torreira kept the South Korean side under constant pressure.
Second Half: Son Heung-min Reaches Historic Milestone
Uruguay extended their lead to 4-0 in the 62nd minute through Darwin Núñez, who secured a brace. Despite the scoreline, South Korea found a moment of brilliance in the 80th minute. Capitalizing on a cross from Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min scored to make the final score 4-1.
This goal was particularly significant as it marked Son’s 58th international goal, tying him with the legendary Cha Bum-kun for the most international goals scored by a South Korean male player.
Match Statistics and Lineups
Both sides utilized 4-4-2 formations. Interim manager Moreno opted for a lineup featuring Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu up front, with Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan providing width.
| Team | Starting XI |
|---|---|
| South Korea | Kim Seung-gyu, Lee Tae-seok, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom, Seol Young-woo, Kim Bong-soo, Lee Jae-sung, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu |
| Uruguay | Fiermarin, Piquerez, Ronald Araujo, Olivera, Maxi Araujo, Bentancur, Torreira, Varela, De Arrascaeta, Brian Rodríguez, Darwin Núñez |
Looking Ahead for the Taegeuk Warriors
The South Korean squad will look to regroup quickly. The team is scheduled to host Venezuela in Ulsan on Friday, October 2, followed by a match against Uzbekistan in Yongin on October 6. These fixtures are crucial as Moreno continues to shape the squad during this interim period.
Historically, Uruguay has held a commanding advantage over South Korea, winning seven of their ten previous encounters. This result reinforces the competitive gap that South Korea aims to close in upcoming international windows.
