Korea's Lee Kang-In in action with South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole and Thapelo Maseko during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Korea and South Africa at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, Wednesday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Korea and South Africa were goalless in the first half of their crucial Group A showdown at the FIFA World Cup in northeastern Mexico on Wednesday.
Korea were in control early before South Africa pushed back, though neither side found the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe.
Captain Son Heung-min was not in the starting lineup for Korea, with Oh Hyeon-gyu taking over as the striker. Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan were the attacking midfielders, with Hwang replacing Lee Jae-sung from the two previous matches.
Center back Kim Min-jae wore the skipper's armband, and he nearly put Korea on the board less than two minutes into the contest. Lee delivered a fine cross toward Kim, whose fierce header was blocked on the line by defender Aubrey Modiba.
