In a scintillating display of attacking prowess, South Korea cruised to a 3-1 victory over Kuwait in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday. The star of the show was none other than Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min, who marked the occasion by scoring his 50th international goal in stunning fashion.
Son’s Milestone Strike Sparks South Korean Dominance
The 30-year-old forward, already widely regarded as one of South Korea’s greatest-ever players, reached the half-century milestone with a coolly dispatched penalty in the 19th minute. Son’s spot-kick set the tone for a dominant performance from the Taegeuk Warriors, who controlled proceedings from start to finish.
With this latest strike, Son edges ever closer to Cha Bum-kun’s all-time South Korean goalscoring record of 58. Given his current form and importance to the national side, it seems only a matter of time before the Spurs star surpasses this long-standing benchmark.
Bae Jun-ho: The Heir Apparent?
While Son’s exploits rightfully grabbed the headlines, the match also provided a glimpse into South Korea’s future. 21-year-old Bae Jun-ho, who replaced Son in the 65th minute, capped off the scoring with a well-taken goal late on. The Stoke City starlet’s cameo offered a tantalizing preview of what could be a seamless transition when Son eventually hangs up his boots.
Bae Jun-ho has all the makings of a future superstar. His goal today showcased his tremendous potential and ability to make an impact at the highest level.
– A source close to the South Korean national team
Hwang In-beom: The Midfield Metronome
Orchestrating play from the center of the park was the ever-impressive Hwang In-beom. The Feyenoord midfielder’s vision and passing range were on full display, as he teed up both Oh Se-hun and Bae Jun-ho with inch-perfect assists. Hwang’s growing influence on this South Korean side cannot be overstated, with many pundits tipping him to be the national team’s fulcrum for years to come.
New Faces, Same Old South Korean Flair
Thursday’s match also saw international debuts handed to promising youngsters Lee Hyun-ju and Lee Tae-seok. The former, a Bayern Munich prospect currently on loan at Hannover, showed flashes of the talent that has earned him rave reviews in Germany. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-seok – son of former national team stalwart Lee Eul-yong – looked at home in the senior setup, belying his tender years with an assured display.
Hong Myung-bo’s Midas Touch
Despite initial skepticism surrounding his appointment, head coach Hong Myung-bo has quietly gone about his business, leading South Korea to an unbeaten start in the third round of Asian qualifiers. The Taegeuk Warriors now sit atop Group B, holding a healthy five-point advantage at the halfway stage.
Hong’s faith in youth, coupled with his intimate knowledge of the domestic scene, has paid dividends thus far. The 53-year-old’s ability to blend experience with exuberance has been a key factor in South Korea’s resurgence under his stewardship.
The Road Ahead
South Korea’s next test comes in the form of a tricky away tie against Palestine next week. While Son and co. will be heavily favored to maintain their unbeaten streak, they will be acutely aware of the potential banana skin that awaits them in Ramallah.
With the Taegeuk Warriors firing on all cylinders, such a result surely represents their best chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup at this early juncture. Son’s continued excellence, combined with the emergence of exciting young talent, suggests that South Korean football could be on the cusp of a new golden era. As the road to North America gradually draws through, Thursday’s win over Kuwait may well be looked back upon as a defining moment in this team’s evolution.
