In Seoul, South Korea’s bright start under Robert Moreno gave way to a far harsher examination against Uruguay. After opening the new spell with a 3-0 win over Ecuador, the Taegeuk Warriors were overwhelmed by Uruguay’s finishing, with Darwin Núñez scoring twice as the visitors struck three times before half-time.
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There was still a significant personal landmark for Son Heung-min, although the closing moments brought an unusual dispute over the scorer. Kang-in Lee, the Atlético de Madrid midfielder, delivered a left-footed ball from the right which travelled towards the Uruguay goal. Initial uncertainty inside the stadium and across online discussion centred on whether it had gone in directly or had touched Son on its way through.
The goal was first credited to Kang-in Lee by FIFA and other football bodies. Following checks involving the match officials and tournament organisers, however, the Korean Football Association officially awarded it to Son.
Son admitted afterwards that he was not entirely convinced the strike belonged to him. “Honestly, I did not feel that the goal was mine, but I am proud of the record,” he said.
The revised decision gave the forward his 58th international goal in his 149th appearance for South Korea, drawing him level with former national-team coach Cha Bum-kun as the country’s leading scorer in men’s internationals.
It also took Son to 300 goals in official matches when his international tally is combined with his club record. He has scored 20 times for Hamburg, 29 for Bayer Leverkusen, 173 for Tottenham Hotspur and 20 for LAFC, alongside his 58 goals for South Korea.
For Kang-in Lee, the decision denied him another notable moment during a promising opening to the season. The Atlético player has already scored twice and supplied assists since joining the Madrid side, but his curling delivery in Seoul will not be added to that growing collection of goals.
