Lee Kang-in Sets Record as First Korean Player to Score in Club World Cup
Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has opened a new chapter in South Korean football history.
On the morning of the 16th (Korean time) at 4 AM, Lee scored the first-ever goal for a South Korean player in the Club World Cup during the group stage match against Atletico Madrid (Spain) at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
First South Korean Player to Score in the Club World Cup
In this match, PSG showcased an overwhelming performance against Atletico Madrid, winning 4-0.
Lee came on as a substitute in the 27th minute of the second half and successfully converted a penalty kick into a goal in the 7th minute of stoppage time, accurately targeting the left side of the goal with his left foot.
European Champion PSG Off to a Perfect Start in Club World Cup
PSG had previously defeated Inter Milan 5-0 on the 1st, securing their first-ever UEFA Champions League title in the club's history.
This season, they have achieved a historic quadruple by winning the French Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, and the Champions League trophy.
PSG's performance against Atletico Madrid also shined.
They recorded the opening goal in the 19th minute of the first half with a long-range shot from Fabian Ruiz, and in the 1st minute of added time, Vitinha scored with a curled right-footed shot to make it 2-0.
In the second half, after Atletico Madrid's Clement Lenglet received a red card for accumulating yellow cards, PSG scored again in the 42nd minute through Mayulu and Lee's penalty goal, sealing a 4-0 victory.
With this win, PSG has made a strong start in Group B. They will face Botafogo (Brazil) in their second match on the 20th and Seattle Sounders (USA) in their third match on the 24th, aiming for a spot in the Round of 16.
Revamped Club World Cup, A Large-scale Football Festival
This Club World Cup has been restructured into a large-scale football event involving 32 teams, diverging from the previous format.
Teams were selected based on their performance in continental club competitions from 2021 to 2024, with 12 teams from Europe, 6 teams from South America, 4 teams each from Asia, Africa, and North America, 1 team from Oceania, and 1 team from the host country, the USA.
The tournament will be divided into 8 groups of 4 teams each, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Round of 16.
The total prize money amounts to $1 billion (approximately 1.3678 trillion won), and it will be held every four years like the World Cup.
Image source: gettyimageskorea
