Thierry Henry, who is working as a World Cup analyst for Fox Sports in the United States, strongly criticized Hong Myung-bo's game management and tactical decisions after watching the loss to South Africa. He particularly said the choice to leave captain Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup was, in the end, a fatal misjudgment.
Korea lost 1-0 to South Africa in the final Group A match of the group stage at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on the 25th (Korea time). After coming from behind to beat the Czech Republic in the opener, Korea failed to sustain the momentum and, with the defeat to South Africa, missed the chance to advance on its own.
After the match, Henry said on the broadcast, "After the Czech Republic game, it felt like the hunger that drove that come-from-behind win in the first game evaporated the moment they tasted victory," adding, "It was as if complacency seeped in like a thief."
He saw Korea's change in attitude as the starting point of the defeat. Henry said, "The national team began playing not to lose rather than to win," adding, "Such a change in approach is very dangerous on the World Cup stage and ultimately proved fatal against South Africa."
The sharpest criticism focused on the decision to keep Son Heung-min on the bench. Henry analyzed that not using a leader capable of carrying the team in clutch moments from the start went beyond a tactical issue and led to a psychological fracture.
He said, "By seating Son Heung-min on the bench, they erased the only figure who could lead the others when things got tough," adding, "The fact that he couldn't change the flow even when he came on as a substitute shows the problem lies deeper than filling out a single sheet for the starting lineup."
He also raised issues with the attacking tactics. Henry assessed that Korea, despite having individually gifted options like Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, and Son Heung-min, failed to weave them into a single rhythm. He pointed out that the use of the forward line—starting Oh Hyun-gyu and then bringing on Cho Gyu-sung in the second half—looked more like improvisation groping for answers during the game than a prepared choice with a clear direction.
Henry said, "When clear goal scorers fail to exert influence, you can't help but pose serious questions about the team's attacking approach," adding, "Korea looked like a team hoping for luck, and at this level, 'vague hope' cannot be a strategy."
He viewed the defeat not as the result of a single match but as a moment that exposed the gap between paper strength and actual performance. Henry said, "Korea, which is superior in objective strength and skill, seemed completely outmatched in the mental battle," adding, "At that moment, South Africa wanted the win more, and that will be the cold reality that is hardest for fans to accept."
Henry also pointed out that Korea is now in a position where it must wait on other group results. He said, "A Korea with ample talent should not have created a situation where it hopes to sneak through as a wild card by relying on other results," analyzing that the lack of urgency in its approach led to this outcome.
He continued, "Stop overcalculating the starting lineup and trust the best players," warning that the same mistake must not be repeated in the remaining schedule.
Meanwhile, South Africa is in a celebratory mood over a historic achievement. South Africa beat Korea to clinch second place in the group and a spot in the knockout stage. With its first-ever World Cup knockout berth secured, the local atmosphere has heated up.
Local outlet News24 likened South Africa's group-stage journey to a "script fit for a Hollywood blockbuster." Another outlet, IOL, reported, "For the first time since winning the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, we have tasted this level of euphoria." Praise is pouring in locally, with head coach Hugo Broos being compared to famous Hollywood actor Clint Eastwood.