Uruguay beats Korea in World Cup rematch

South Korea fell to Uruguay 2-1 on Tuesday in a rematch of a group stage showdown at last year’s FIFA World Cup, leaving new head coach Jurgen Klinsmann still searching for his first win.

Sebastian Coates and Matias Vecino had a goal in each half for Uruguay, while Hwang In-beom had the only South Korean goal at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The home team lost what would have been a late equalizer to an offside.

The two countries had a goalless draw in Qatar in November, and Uruguay, under caretaker boss Marcelo Broli, got the upper hand this time.

Klinsmann, still testing out players early in his regime, made four changes to the starting lineup in Friday’s 2-2 draw against Colombia.

Jo Hyeon-woo replaced Kim Seung-gyu in goal for his first start since last July. Jo had been the country’s first-choice goalkeeper before Klinsmann’s predecessor, Paulo Bento, took charge in 2018. Kim had been the main man under Bento, and Klinsmann got his first look at Jo on Tuesday.

With the regular left fullback,

Kim Jin-su, out with a lower back injury, Lee Ki-je got the starting assignment. Lee came off the bench to replace Kim after the latter suffered the injury during the first half against Colombia.

Midfielder Lee Kang-in got his first start for Klinsmann, taking the place of Jeong Woo-yeong. Forward Hwang Ui-jo, benched against Colombia with two younger strikers, Cho Gue-sung and Oh Hyeongyu,

seeing action, got the starting nod this time.

Uruguay, on the other hand, had a vastly different team than the one that faced South Korea at the World Cup.

They had a new goalkeeper with Santiago Mele and an entirely-new backline of four defenders. Only midfielders Matias Vecino and Federico Valverde remained in the starting XI.

Uruguay scored first in the 10th minute, when Sebasitan Coates headed in a corner taken by Federico Valverde. Coates snuck in from behind the napping defense untouched and soared to meet the ball with authority.

The Uruguayans put the South Koreans back on their heels with their effective forays into the attacking zone. At the other end, South Korea failed to find much room to maneuver against high Uruguayan pressing.

Lee Kang-in had South Korea’s shot on target in the 25th minute, firing a left-footed shot from the right side of the box into the body of goalkeeper Santiago Mele.

Uruguay looked ready for everything that South Korea threw at them. And when South Korea tried to get forechecking going, the South Americans consistently evaded pressure with quick passes through tight space.

South Korea found some energy in the late portions of the first half and had their best chance in the 38th minute, with Lee Ki-je rolling a left-footed shot just wide of the right post, following a cross from Lee Kang-in.