South Korea vs Uruguay Prediction 28 September 2026
π There's a familiar feel to this one. In the spring of 2023 in Seoul, both sides had just changed managers after the World Cup. Uruguay, with caretaker Marcelo Broli in charge, came from Japan and beat Korea 2-1. The setup now is almost identical: Uruguay again have a caretaker from the under-20 side, Diego ForlΓ‘n, while Korea have Robert Moreno. The difference is how they've started: Korea beat Ecuador, while Uruguay lost to Japan.
Head-to-Head
π Uruguay have historically been an uncomfortable opponent for South Korea. The two sides have met three times at World Cups, with Korea recording two defeats and a draw. Their one victory came in October 2018 in Seoul, when they won a friendly 2-1. Four and a half years later, in the same city, Uruguay got their revenge, with MatΓas Vecino scoring the decisive goal.
Head-to-head statistics South Korea - Uruguay
South Korea Team Overview
Korea are beginning a new cycle after their World Cup disappointment. They opened the tournament with a win over Czechia but then lost twice 0-1, to Mexico and South Africa, and failed to advance from the group even as one of the best third-placed sides. Hong Myung-bo resigned, with the country's president demanding answers over the failure. The federation did not rush to appoint a permanent manager, instead handing temporary charge to Spaniard Robert Moreno for six friendlies through to November. Whether he goes on to lead the team at the Asian Cup in January depends on how that run of matches goes.
Russian fans will know Moreno from his time at Sochi, and in Korea he passed his first test. The team played his 4-4-2 system, and at half-time he adjusted the pressing and the build-up play. Korea beat Ecuador 3-0, with goals from Oh Hyeon-gyu, Son Heung-min and substitute Lee Dong-gyeong. The free-kick goal was Son's 57th for the national team. He is now one goal away from equalling Cha Bum-kun's record, and a brace against Uruguay would make him Korea's all-time leading scorer outright.
Match Results: South Korea
Uruguay Team Overview
Uruguay left the World Cup with two points. Draws against Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde, then a defeat to Spain, left them third in their group behind a tournament debutant. Marcelo Bielsa, whose contract had expired, departed with the words that he had left nothing to Uruguayan football. Diego ForlΓ‘n took charge of the squad on a temporary basis for the autumn tour of Asia. The 2010 World Cup's best player immediately moved away from his predecessor's 4-3-3 and switched to 4-4-2.
The debut proved a painful one. In Japan, Uruguay fell behind first but levelled before half-time through Maximiliano AraΓΊjo. It was the midfielder's third goal in his last four international appearances, with the rest of the squad managing one between them over that same spell. Uruguay held the draw until stoppage time, but made two defensive errors late on and lost 3-1. ForlΓ‘n said after the match that the result did not reflect the run of play. Uruguay have yet to win either at the World Cup or under their new manager.
Match Results: Uruguay
Latest news
South Korea
β The main news for Moreno is the returns. Lee Kang-in, Hwang In-beom and Cho Gyu-sung joined the squad later than the rest due to club commitments, and the manager left them out for the Ecuador match. According to Moreno, this was on medical advice: the players had been experiencing discomfort and muscular overload, and he did not want to take any risks. The Korean press expects Lee Kang-in and Hwang In-beom to return for the Uruguay game. Son Heung-min remains captain.
Uruguay
β ForlΓ‘n has been left without his main star. Federico Valverde injured his ankle in the Madrid derby following a tackle by Lee Kang-in and has been ruled out of the Asian tour squad. Palmeiras midfielder Emiliano MartΓnez has been called up in his place. Manuel Ugarte is also absent through injury, and NicolΓ‘s de la Cruz did not make the squad either. There have been changes in goal too: Fernando Muslera and Sergio Rochet are not in the list, and Santiago Mele played against Japan. On the other hand, two players who missed the World Cup have returned - Nahitan NΓ‘ndez and Ronald AraΓΊjo. JosΓ© MarΓa GimΓ©nez made his 100th appearance for the national team in Japan, coming on as a substitute.
Predicted Lineups
π Predicted starting XI - South Korea: Kim Seung-gyu - Sul Young-woo, Lee Han-beom, Kim Min-jae, Jo Hyeon-taek - Lee Kang-in, Hwang In-beom, Lee Jae-sung, Son Min-kyu - Oh Hyeon-gyu, Son Heung-min.
π Predicted starting XI - Uruguay: Mele - NΓ‘ndez, R. AraΓΊjo, Olivera, Sanabria - B. RodrΓguez, Bentancur, Torreira, M. AraΓΊjo - ViΓ±as, NΓΊΓ±ez.
β½οΈ Goals Prediction
South Korea have scored in the second half in 7 of their last 8 home friendlies. Ecuador felt that in Suwon: the best defence in the South American World Cup qualifying campaign held firm for only the first half before conceding three times after the break. The first 45 minutes against Uruguay tend to be quiet too - Uruguay have drawn the first half in 6 of their last 7 friendlies. We expect the decisive moments to come later in the match. The bet is South Korea to Score in the Second Half.
π© Corner Prediction
Corners in South Korea's matches are heavily one-sided. In their last ten official games, the Koreans won 79 corners while their opponents managed only 19. Uruguay, in their last ten matches, earned 61 corners but conceded a fair few as well, with opponents winning 52 against them. South Korea have taken more than four corners in six of their last seven friendlies. The bet is South Korea Team Total Corners - Over 4.5.
π¨ Yellow Cards Prediction
Neither side's matches can be described as calm. In South Korea's last ten official matches, referees showed 28 yellow cards, 17 of which went to the Koreans themselves. Uruguay's figure is even higher - 34 cards, with 18 of those going to their opponents, meaning Uruguay's rivals are booked more often than the Uruguayans themselves. For South Korea, that is a bad sign - their players already pick up more bookings than their opponents. The match against Ecuador was heated too: Ecuador earned four yellows in the first half alone, while Park Jin-seop and Lee Han-beom also received one each. The bet is Total Yellow Cards - Over 2.5.
π Editorial Prediction
Uruguay have long been a nightmare for South Korea: in ten head-to-head meetings, Korea have won just once. Away from home, Uruguay have avoided defeat in 14 of their last 16 friendly matches. Korea under Moreno have played just one match so far - against Ecuador, who were also debuting under a new manager and without MoisΓ©s Caicedo. Uruguay's defence is not at its best right now, having conceded in each of their last four matches. We expect the hosts to score, but not to win. The bet is Uruguay not to lose. Predicted score: 1-1.
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Betting Tips: South Korea - Uruguay
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