Son Heung‑min has apologised for South Korea’s early World Cup exit, saying he is “indescribably hurt” and will “run to death” for the nation’s football fans. The captain’s Instagram post came after a 1‑0 defeat to South Africa in their final group game meant they finished third in Group A, despite winning their opening match against Mexico. A draw would have been enough to reach the knockout stage, but they fell short.
Son, who joined LA FC last August and was dropped from the starting line‑up for the decisive defeat, was brought on for the second half but could not end his 2026 World Cup drought. He has 56 international goals but has now played in four World Cups, with South Korea reaching the knockout stage only once – losing 4‑1 to Brazil in 2022. The 33‑year‑old wrote: “The ‘child’s dream’ that I always talked about has collapsed… I’m indescribably hurt. It’s still not easy to accept this reality.”
“Son Heung‑min apologised for South Korea's World Cup exit as Zlatan Ibrahimovic blamed Ronald Koeman for Netherlands' defeat.”
Head coach Hong Myung‑bo resigned on Sunday, and President Lee Jae Myung has called for an investigation into the team’s performance. Son begged fans to send “warm support and encouragement rather than criticising and hurting all the players.”
Hours earlier, the Netherlands were sent packing from the World Cup by Morocco in the round of 32, losing 3‑2 on penalties after a 1‑1 draw. Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch a late lead, but Issa Diop equalised at the death to force extra time. Zlatan Ibrahimovic delivered a damning verdict on Ronald Koeman’s management, telling FOX Sports: “This defeat is Koeman’s fault, because I didn’t recognise this Dutch team. He lost with an identity that is not the Dutch identity… Koeman looked like an Italian coach playing not to lose, whereas the Netherlands always plays to win.”
Thierry Henry also criticised Koeman’s decision to switch to a 5‑4‑1 formation: “You take off a midfielder to bring on a defender… you are basically saying that you are afraid of Morocco.” Koeman defended his approach, saying: “We chose to play this way because we conceded too much in three matches.” The Dutch had impressed in the group stage with wins over Sweden and Tunisia and a draw with Japan, but Ibrahimovic insisted the performance was “absolutely nothing, really nothing at all.”