The South Korean team continues to show positive signs before its participation in the 2026 World Cup. The Asian team defeated El Salvador 1-0 in their last preparation match played in the United States and confirmed that they will be one of the most demanding rivals for the Mexican team in the group stage.

The team led by Hong Myung-Bo closed its tour with full confidence after stringing together two consecutive wins, results that strengthen its aspirations to compete at a high level in the next 2026 World Cup.

South Korea maintains firm pace before its World Cup debut

After beating Trinidad and Tobago in their previous appearance, the Asian squad once again responded with a solid performance, this time against a Salvadoran team that offered resistance for much of the match.

From the first minutes, South Korea showed offensive initiative and created dangerous opportunities through players like Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan, who constantly tested the rival defense.

Although Korean dominance was evident during much of the match, the lack of precision in the definition prevented the scoreboard from moving during the first half.

Lee Dong-gyeong resolved a difficult match

Asian insistence finally found reward in the complement. In the 57th minute, Lee Dong-gyeong executed a free kick with great precision to score the only goal of the match and secure the victory for his team.

The midfielder once again demonstrated his importance within Hong Myung-Bo's scheme, providing a solution in a match that required patience, tactical discipline and effectiveness in key moments.

Beyond the result, Korea left a good feeling thanks to its ability to control the pace of the game and generate danger through elaborate plays and set pieces.

Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in strengthen South Korea

One of the most positive aspects for the Asian team was the recovery of all its main figures before the start of the tournament.

Among them stands out Lee Kang-in, recent UEFA Champions League champion, as well as the presence of Son Heung-Min, the team's top reference and one of the most important footballers in Asia, who had minutes in the final part of the match.

With its full squad, South Korea considerably increases its competitive level and is emerging as a complex rival for any team in the group stage.

Why can South Korea complicate Mexico?

The Mexican team will have a high-level test when it faces the Asian team in Group A of the 2026 World Cup.

Korea's main strengths are their defensive organization, speed in transition, physical intensity and ability to take advantage of strategic plays, aspects that could cause difficulties for the Mexican team.

Furthermore, the good form of players like Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Dong-gyeong turns the team led by Hong Myung-Bo into a team with multiple offensive variants.

The duel between Mexico and Korea promises to be key in Group A

The Asian team will debut on June 11 in Guadalajara against the Czech Republic, while the expected confrontation against Mexico is scheduled for June 18 in a match that could have an important weight in the fight for qualification to the next round.

With two consecutive victories, increasing confidence and all its figures available, South Korea will arrive at the 2026 World Cup as a team capable of competing head-to-head against any rival.

For El Tri, the message is clear: the clash against the South Koreans aims to be one of the most demanding challenges of the group stage and a decisive test in their World Cup aspirations.