South Korea beat Japan to win fourth straight Games gold

South Korea triumphed over Japan in the men's football final at the 2026 Asian Games, securing their fourth consecutive gold medal. The match, held at Toyota Stadium near Nagoya, saw Shin Min-ha's South Korean team defeat Japan 1-0, with goalscorer Eom Ji-sung scoring the decisive goal in the 60th minute. This victory came after a disappointing World Cup campaign for South Korea, which led to coach Hong Myung-bo's resignation and public outrage.

The win also resulted in military exemptions for the Korean players, a benefit typically granted to those who excel in the Asian Games and Olympics. Eom Ji-sung, a former World Cup participant, expressed the team's determination to secure another title, stating that "we had to do a lot of defending tonight, but we always knew there would be one chance for us."

Despite Japan having the better chances and Japan's forward Uche Nwadike being stretchered off due to a knee injury, Eom's goal secured the Korean victory, marking their fourth consecutive gold in the Asian Games football tournament.