An Underdog Story Begins
When the 2002 FIFA World Cup kicked off, co-hosts South Korea were given little chance of making an impact. The nation had appeared in five previous tournaments without winning a single match. But under the guidance of disciplined Dutch coach Guus Hiddink,
the team was transformed. Hiddink forged a squad renowned for its incredible fitness and relentless pressing. Placed in a group with Poland, the United States, and a star-studded Portugal, the Taeguk Warriors started with a convincing 2-0 win over Poland, their first-ever World Cup victory. They followed it with a draw against the U.S. and a stunning 1-0 victory over Portugal, a match that saw the Portuguese side reduced to nine men. South Korea finished top of their group, and a nation dared to dream.
A Nation United in Red
The team's success sparked an incredible wave of national pride, a much-needed boost for a country still recovering from the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The streets of Seoul and other cities transformed into massive public viewing parties, a sea of red-clad fans known as the "Red Devils". Strangers hugged and cried together as their team defied expectations. An estimated 22 million people took to the streets to support their heroes during the tournament, a phenomenon of collective joy rarely seen before or since. The national flag, once considered a sacred object, became a common accessory, a symbol of a joyful, accessible patriotism that swept the country.
The Italian Job
The Round of 16 pitted South Korea against Italy, a traditional football powerhouse. What followed was one of the most controversial matches in World Cup history. From the Italian perspective, the game was marred by a series of bewildering decisions by Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno. Italy felt aggrieved by an early penalty awarded to South Korea (which was saved), and their frustration boiled over in extra time. Superstar Francesco Totti was shown a second yellow card for diving, a decision that was hotly disputed. Then, Damiano Tommasi scored what should have been a golden goal winner, only for it to be incorrectly disallowed for offside. Minutes later, Ahn Jung-hwan headed in a dramatic golden goal for South Korea, sending them to the quarter-finals and Italy crashing out in a blaze of fury. The Italian press cried robbery, with some outlets labeling the officials "hitmen".
The Spanish Inquisition
If Italy felt cheated, Spain’s quarter-final clash with the co-hosts only amplified the controversy. The Spanish team had two goals disallowed by Egyptian referee Gamal Al Ghandour and his assistants. The first was a header by Rubén Baraja ruled out for an alleged foul. The second, a golden goal by Fernando Morientes, was denied after the linesman incorrectly ruled the ball had gone out of play before the cross was made. Replays suggested both decisions were highly questionable. After 120 goalless minutes, South Korea won the ensuing penalty shootout, becoming the first-ever Asian team to reach a World Cup semi-final. The Spanish press was incensed, with one paper declaring the tournament had "descended into farce". Just this month, former Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas revived the claims, alleging a "real conspiracy targeting European teams" during the tournament.
A Dual Legacy
South Korea's dream run ended in the semi-finals with a 1-0 loss to Germany, and they subsequently lost the third-place match to Turkey. Despite the defeats, they finished fourth, a historic achievement that remains the best-ever performance by an Asian nation. In South Korea, the 2002 run is remembered as a moment of pure, unadulterated joy that boosted the country's confidence on the world stage. For the players and Coach Hiddink, who received honorary citizenship, it was the culmination of tactical discipline and immense team spirit. Outside of Korea, however, the memory is forever tainted. The victories over Italy and Spain are invariably linked to accusations of biased refereeing, a shadow that hangs over one of the World Cup’s most incredible underdog stories.
