SOCCER SCHEDULESouth Korea beat El Salvador in an international friendly on US soil, serving as a critical tune-up ahead of the team's highly anticipated 2026 World Cup debut on June 11.
South Korea were looking to establish their tactical rhythm ahead of their June 11 World Cup opener against Czechia. And they did it by winning the international friendly against El Salvador 1-0 with an splendid goal of Lee Donggyeong.
El Salvador, a nation that fell short in their bid for World Cup qualification, entered the match focused on a long-term rebuild. Head coach Hernan Dario Gomez is actively evaluating the roster to identify fresh talent for the next cycle.
South Korea defeat El Salvador 1–0 in Utah, with Anis Lee Donggyeong delivering a brilliant second‑half finish to secure the result. You lived every moment of this international clash here on Bolavip.
After an intense game, South Korea had in Donggyeong the player that scored the only goal of the game, enough to win their second match in a row against Concacaf teams.
Katja Koroleva adds 3 minutes.
South Korea are not having the ball and El Salvador try to score the tie at this point.
Two corners kicks have been given for El Salvador, but they didn't take advantage.
They are trying to break 10-man defensive line, distributed in fives, and with it they are containing the great ball passing from South Korea.
South Korea 74%, El Salvador 26%
Without trying to attack too much, El Salvador just defend on their area, as South Korea are now trying to score another goal.
With everything seemed to be set like it stands, South Korea try to attempts on shots, while El Salvador look for a miracle to tie the game.
After the first goal of the game, South Korea are taking their time. But, still creating dangerous situations.
After two minutes, the 22 players are on the field again.
Both teams are hydrating for the remainder of the game.
From a corner kick that was just 19 yards away from the goal, he kicked the ball to the barrior.
With these five substitutions, South Korea want to show everything they have for the 2026 World Cup.
Among the substitutions, Heung Min-Son enters the field.
Through crossed balls, South Korea are creating chances to have corner kicks.
DONGGYEONG SCORES FROM A FREE KICK A BEAUTIFUL GOAL.
Despite the ball possession, they don't know what to do in El Salvador area, and just keep creating corners.
The goalkeeper of El Salvador saved a clear chance in the penalty spot.
By trying with counterattacks, El Salvador want to score the first goal of the game.
In order to find a new spot to try and score, they have been creating chances with corner kicks and free kicks.
By controlling the ball, South Korea started the second half with the intention to score the first goal of the game.
Koroleva blows her whistle to start the first half.
Possession: South Korea 64% | El Salvador 36%
Shots (On Target): South Korea 5 (1) | El Salvador 2 (0)
Fouls: South Korea 4 | El Salvador 7
Corners: South Korea 3 | El Salvador 1
After an entertained first half, Koroleva blew her whistle to end the first half.
Now, both teams have committed 15 fouls, 5 for South Korea and 10 for El Salvador. And that have led to first yellow card of the game for Cerritos.
Referee Katja Koroleva added 6 minutes.
After a frenetic start and an intense matchup, both teams have decided to slow things down, as the first half it's about to end.
South Korea 72%, El Salvador 28%.
From the defense to the offense, that's the play that El Salvador have been trying in the last couple of minutes, but South Korea are well-organized.
After a great run from his teammate, Heechan was in the penalty spot and almost scored, but El Salvador defended outstandingly.
Despite their lack of ball possession, they are trying through counterattacks, but in this occasion Flores made a bad decision and the pass in the area went far from his teammate that was alone to score.
After a promising start, El Salvador have lost the ball completely and South Korea want to score first.
While the Koreans try to keep the ball, El Salvador defend with everything they have on the field.
The same players take the field to continue the international friendly.
Both teams talk with the coaches, while hydrate.
El Salvador and South Korea are creating chances one-by-one, but the ball hasn't entered to any of the goals.
Both teams have prefered to make some fouls at this point, with 7 already, 2 for South Korea and 5 four El Salvador.
South Korea 70%, El Salvador 30%.
El Salvador are not leaving clear spaces on the defense and when they create chances, South Korea struggle. However, they got a corner with a great ball possession.
Through fouls to South Korea's area, El Salvador want to create dangerous situations.
In a counterattack, Heechan stole the ball from El Salvador's defender and despite having a teammate, the ball didn't get there and the goalkeeper of El Salvador took it.
After the corner, South Korea' captain created danger for the left side of the field, but El Salvador defended outstandingly for another corner kick.
Without having control of the ball, El Salvador have created danger in South Korea's area, but a free kick from the Asian team has been created. It ended in the first corner kick of the game.
Despite the couple of tries that South Korea have created, El Salvador's defense have made an outstanding job so far.
With El Salvador trying to press their defense, South Korea started to take control of the ball, as they want the first goal of the game.
The referee blows his whistle and the match starts.
Both teams are on the field for the protocolary acts in Utah.
Ahead of this international friendly, South Korea and El Salvador have played once on their whole history, and the game ended 1-1 on June 20, 2023.
BYU South Field—nestled on the Provo campus of Brigham Young University—stands firmly as one of the premier college soccer venues in the United States. While the facility serves as the permanent fortress for the university's powerhouse women’s soccer and rugby programs, it has recently vaulted into the international spotlight, playing host to the South Korea men's national team as they wrap up their crucial pre-World Cup friendly slate against El Salvador, with a capacity of 4.200 spectators.
The match will be officiated by an American crew, appointed to lead this international friendly at BYU South Field.
Main Referee: Katja Koroleva (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Meghan Mullen (USA)
Fourth Official: Natalie Simon (USA)
South Korea's starting XI: Kim Seuhggyu; Kim Minjae, Lee Taeseok, Lee Jaesung, Lee Gihyuk; Lee Donggyeong, Cho Guesung, Seol Youngwoo; Lee Hanbeom, Hwang Heechan, Hwang Ihbeom.
El Salvador's starting XI: Gonzalez; Sibrian, Clavel, Cruz, Valladares; Cerritos, Martinez, Diaz, Florez; Ordaz, Vasquez.
Welcome to our live blog! This time, South Korea will play against El Salvador in an international friendly as the Taeguk Warriors continue their preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Stay with us for all the action and minute‑by‑minute updates of this matchup at BYU South Field in Utah.
