South Korea have reached the men’s football final at the 2026 Asian Games after coming from behind to beat China 2–1 in a dramatic semifinal at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Wednesday.
The defending champions secured their place in a fourth consecutive Asian Games final after Bae Jun-ho scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, completing a comeback that had looked uncertain for long periods of the match. South Korea will face either Japan or Uzbekistan in Saturday’s final as they chase an unprecedented fourth straight gold medal.
China had taken the lead before South Korea responded through Lee Young-jun, who headed in from Eom Ji-sung’s corner in the 33rd minute. The equaliser gave the Koreans renewed momentum, but China continued to threaten and came close to restoring its advantage.
The decisive moment arrived eight minutes from full time. Eom, standing in as captain after Lee Gi-hyuk’s injury, delivered a long, lofted cross towards the far post. Bae timed his movement perfectly before volleying the ball into the net to send South Korea into another final.
The two South Korean players had discussed the attacking move during the halftime interval, with Bae later explaining that he anticipated Eom’s delivery towards the far post.
Eom had already played a major role in the comeback, providing the assists for both of South Korea’s goals. His leadership became particularly important after regular captain Lee Gi-hyuk was ruled out through injury.
For China, the defeat ended an historic run to their first Asian Games men’s football semifinal in 28 years. They had hoped to reach the final on home-style momentum but were left regretting several missed opportunities.
One of their clearest chances came in the 62nd minute when defender Peng Xiao found himself with the ball in front of goal after a poor South Korean clearance. However, his low attempt went narrowly wide.
South Korea also survived a scare late in the match when Lee Young-jun nearly turned a cross into his own goal, but the ball flashed past the post.
The result keeps South Korea on course for another Asian Games title. The country has already won the men’s football gold medal at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Games and is now one victory away from making it four consecutive championships.
The final will be played on October 3 at Toyota Stadium, where South Korea will meet the winner of the Japan-Uzbekistan semifinal.
For the South Korean players, the final carries an additional significance because winning the Asian Games gold medal can bring an exemption from South Korea’s compulsory military service for eligible male athletes.
After surviving China’s challenge, South Korea now have one final hurdle between them and another piece of Asian Games history.
