Son scores twice as South Korea outclass China in World Cup qualifier

Son Heung-min, the skipper, showcased his skills with a stellar performance, netting two goals and assisting another as South Korea secured a 3-0 victory over China in their second 2026 World Cup qualifying match. The sell-out crowd of over 40,000 in Shenzhen was left in awe as Son executed a penalty and a clever header from a corner just before halftime, solidifying South Korea’s dominance. Jung Seung-hyun’s late bullet header, courtesy of a Son free-kick, sealed the win, propelling South Korea to the top of Group C with a perfect six points.

Under the leadership of Jurgen Klinsmann, South Korea continued their impressive form from their previous 5-0 triumph over Singapore. The team, featuring an in-form Son, demonstrated complete control from the start, taking the lead after just 11 minutes. Hwang Hee-chan was fouled in the box, leading to Son’s successful penalty conversion, setting the tone for a dominant performance.

The Korean side continued to apply pressure throughout the match, with Cho Gue-sung and Son coming close to extending the lead. Although China had a chance to equalize, they missed the opportunity, allowing Son to double the lead with a perfectly timed header. South Korea missed an opportunity to make it 3-0, but thankfully Jung Seung-hyun was able to secure the victory for his team.

Following these results, South Korea currently leads Group C with six points, while Thailand and China trail with three points each after Thailand’s 3-1 victory over Singapore. The top two teams from each of the nine groups in Asian qualifying will advance to the final qualifying stage for the World Cup in North America.

Meanwhile, in other qualifiers in the region, Iraq secured a last-minute 1-0 win over Vietnam, topping Group F with six points. Iran had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Uzbekistan after surrendering a two-goal lead, while North Korea secured a resounding 6-1 away victory against Myanmar and Tajikistan replicated the scoreline in their win against Pakistan.

In the upcoming matches, Australia will face Palestine in Kuwait, Japan will play Syria in Jeddah, and India will host Qatar, shaping up to be an action-packed round of Asian World Cup qualifiers.

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