Son mocked over military service and a drone shot down – will South Korea get chaotic World Cup back on track?

<p>The tacos that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/heung-min-son" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Son Heung-min</a> ate were reportedly of the Al Pastor and Arrachera variety. The former Tottenham forward was mobbed after taking an Uber from South Korea’s training camp, perhaps the most-talked about base at this World Cup tournament, to downtown Guadalajara. The crowds were another signal, if any were needed, of the forward’s global popularity, though the online advice was that he should have gone to a better restaurant.</p>
<p>And he could do with better service too, as demonstrated by the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/19/mexico-south-korea-world-cup-2026-group-a-match-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1-0 defeat against Mexico in the second game of Group A</a>. The forward, who turns 34 before the quarter-final stage, was feeding off scraps as the Taegeuk Warriors played passively for a draw until a big error from Kim Seung-gyu – the goalkeeper was another taco muncher – gave the co‑hosts a goal from nowhere and a first place in the round of 32. For Korea, facing South Africa in the final game, a win would be great, a draw would be enough for second but defeat would mean either the lottery of third place or even a slip into fourth and guaranteed elimination.</p>
<p>Son lasted less than an hour before being subbed off. In the first game, he missed chances and was replaced after 69 minutes as South Korea came back from a goal down to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/12/south-korea-czechia-world-cup-2026-group-a-match-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">beat Czechia 2-1</a>. Playing in a central role does not seem to be working, as has often been the case. One of the debates back home is whether the forward should be on the left with Oh Hyeon-gyu, who replaced Son in the opener to score the winner and has been in good form for Besiktas, starting.</p>








