Lee Dong-gyeong scores lone goal in South Korea's 1-0 win over El Salvador
Before leaving for the national team's U.S. training camp for the FIFA World Cup last month, South Korean midfielder Lee Dong-gyeong said he wanted to represent the domestic league the best he can.
Lee was one of six players from the K League 1 named to the country's 26-man squad and brought impressive credentials as the 2025 MVP for Ulsan HD FC. Still, Lee will have to beat out strong competition to see action at the World Cup, as there is no shortage of attacking midfielders on the team with the likes of Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05) and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers). They all have more international experience and pedigree than Lee Dong-gyeong.
For one match, at least, Lee did his best to announce his presence, netting South Korea's lone goal in their 1-0 win over El Salvador at BYU South Field in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday.
It was South Korea's last match before the World Cup begins next week, following a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday. And Lee was one of just three players to start both matches, as head coach Hong Myung-bo sought to test as many players as he could before the big tournament.
And Lee made the most of his opportunity, as he curled in a free kick in the 57th minute to break the deadlock.
From outside the right edge of the box, Lee's shot found just enough space over El Salvador's wall and ended up in the top corner of the net.
Lee getting the start was dictated as much by the circumstances as his own abilities. Lee Kang-in was the last to report to camp, only arriving in Utah on Monday after his PSG had won the UEFA Champions League title in Hungary over the weekend. Hong elected not to rush the French league player into action.
Lee Jae-sung would normally have gotten a look as an attacking midfielder, but he had a strong showing in a more defensive role next to Hwang In-beom in the second half of the Trinidad and Tobago match. And the duo got the start this time, allowing Lee Dong-gyeong to collect another start this time.
Lee's calling card throughout his career has been his left-footed shot. He is more of a willing shooter than Lee Kang-in, another left-footed attacker who functions mostly as a facilitator. Even if Lee Dong-gyeong doesn't start in World Cup matches, he can still be a valuable go-to option in a pinch.
"I tried to look for a hole in their wall and take my kick with confidence," Lee said of his goal. "The ball traveled exactly the way I wanted it to. It's great to win our final match before the World Cup. We had a quick turnaround after the last match, and I think we're set up nicely for the World Cup with this great result in a difficult spot."
Lee also admitted he didn't really expect to be selected to the World Cup squad, despite his strong play in the domestic league and his utility as a left-footed attacker.
"It's always been my dream to be part of a World Cup journey. To be on this ride gives me huge motivation," Lee said. "I am taking each day as if it will be my last one with the national team."
Lee said the free kick came down to either himself or right-footed Hwang In-beom, who had missed one free kick chance earlier in the match.
"I told In-beom I wanted to take the kick," Lee said. "If I find myself in a similar situation at the World Cup, I think I will be able to tell my teammates with confidence that I will take the shot."
