South Korea ended their 2025 international schedule on a winning note, defeating Ghana 1-0 in a fiercely contested friendly at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Monday night.
A spectacular second-half goal from midfielder Lee Tae-seok was enough to separate the two sides in front of a near-capacity crowd of 63,487.
Taeguk Warriors Sink Black Stars | Ghana vs South Korea Friendly Match Ends in 1-Goal Thriller
The decisive moment arrived just after the hour mark when Lee, playing in his eighth cap, collected the ball 28 yards from goal, took one touch, and rifled an unstoppable dipping shot into the top left corner. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi got fingertips to it but could only help the ball into the net, sending the home fans into ecstasy.
Ghana nearly found an instant reply through Inaki Williams, whose header was cleared off the line by Napoli defender Kim Min-jae in the 68th minute.
Both teams had chances in an open encounter: Son Heung-min struck the post in the 22nd minute, while Mohammed Kudus forced a fingertip save from Jo Hyeon-woo at the other end just before halftime. Despite late pressure from the Black Stars, South Korea’s organised defence held firm to secure a confidence-boosting clean sheet.
The result gives Hong Myung-bo’s men momentum heading into the new year, while Otto Addo will return to Accra with valuable lessons ahead of the March 2026 World Cup qualifying resumption. The coach admitted post-match: “We competed well against a strong side, but we must be more clinical.”
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