‘Final Goal’ Lee Kang-in “I expected it, but I didn’t expect the defense to be this good “Still, I’m glad I won.”
Lee Kang-in is greeting the crowd after winning 1-0 in the 6th match of Group C of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asia 2nd qualifying group group match between Korea and China held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 11th.
The solution that saved Korea, which was struggling against China's dense defense, was Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain).
Korea, led by interim coach Kim Do-hoon, won 1-0 in the 6th match of Group C of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian region second qualifying round against China held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 11th.
In the 16th minute of the second half, Lee Kang-in scored the first and final goal of the day. Korea, which had already confirmed first place in the group, finished the second preliminary round with 5 wins, 1 draw (16 points) and undefeated.
Lee Kang-in, deployed as a side attacker, showed off his sharp left foot throughout the game.
Until he was replaced in the 33rd minute of the second half, he hit 2 shots (2 effective shots) and had a pass success rate of 91%.
Korea played a frustrating game as they were blocked by China's dense defense, which had made up its mind to set its line. Korea went on the offensive in the second half, with ace Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in scoring together.
When Lee Kang-in gave the ball to the left side, Son Heung-min caught it and connected with a ground ball cross. Son Heung-min's cross hit the defense, and Lee Kang-in rushed in and finished with his left foot. After performing an uppercut ceremony, he shared his joy with a warm hug with Son Heung-min. Lee Kang-in, who scored two goals in the match against Singapore (7-0 win) on the 6th, scored in two consecutive games and his 10th goal in the international match. In a meeting with reporters after the game, Lee Kang-in said, “I expected China to focus on defense, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. “But I am satisfied because we won,” he said, adding, “I think China made the best choice they could.” He added, “We will continue to work harder to achieve better soccer and the results we want.”
Lee Kang-in, who started as a right-wing striker, changed his position to attacking midfielder in the frustrating 15th minute of the second half and scored the first goal in one minute. Afterwards, Lee Kang-in led the Korean attack with an accurate left foot kick.
Lee Kang-in said, “There is no particularly comfortable seat. “I just play the position the coach wants me to play,” he said. “Like I said when I was first called up to the national team, I will think about helping the team at every moment,” he said, putting the team first. Lee Kang-in, who has recently shown good chemistry with his teammates on the national team, said, “As time goes on, the chemistry between my older brothers and younger friends is getting better,” and added, “We will continue to play good soccer as a team.” He promised to show good play by taking good care of his body until the third preliminary round starting in September. He said, “I will take good care of my body with my team until September and show good results in September. “We ask you to show as much interest in Korean soccer as you do now,” he said.