Seoul: South Korea faced a demoralizing 5-0 loss against Brazil during their latest men’s friendly football match at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, attended by approximately 63,000 spectators. Estevao and Rodrygo each netted two goals, while Vinicius Junior added one for Brazil, ranked sixth in the world.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea, ranked 23rd, had been on a promising run with recent victories against higher-ranked teams like the United States and a draw against Mexico. Head coach Hong Myung-bo viewed the match against Brazil as an essential test to gauge his team’s competitiveness against a top-tier World Cup contender. Despite his confidence in the team’s form, South Korea struggled significantly against Brazil’s superior speed and skills.
Coach Hong has been experimenting with a back-three formation in recent matches, hoping to leverage the defensive strength of three center backs and the support of two wingbacks. However, against Brazil, this strategy faltered. Defensive stalwart Kim Min-jae, along with less experienced players Kim Ju-sung and Cho Yu-min, could not withstand Brazil’s offensive prowess. Offensive-minded wingbacks Lee Tae-seok and Seol Young-woo also found themselves outmatched.
The opening goal by Estevao in the 13th minute set the tone for the match, with Brazil’s quick passes and precise plays overwhelming South Korea’s defense. Rodrygo’s goal in the 41st minute further highlighted the disparity in quality between the two teams. The second half saw South Korea make critical errors, allowing Brazil to capitalize and extend their lead.
Kim Min-jae acknowledged the team’s loss of concentration in the second half, noting the challenges of adapting to their current formation. Midfielder Jens Castrop emphasized the need for the team to play smarter, acknowledging Brazil’s strength. Despite the heavy loss, Castrop expressed gratitude for making his home debut in Seoul.
Midfielder Lee Kang-in saw the defeat as a learning opportunity with the World Cup approaching. He stressed the importance of improving against formidable opponents to achieve better results in future tournaments.