South Korea made Asian Games history by winning gold in the men’s football tournament for the FOURTH time in a row!
The Taegeuk Warriors suffered a disappointing World Cup with the sport in South Korea in a state of crisis right now. The Soccer Dispatch covered the story in this newsletter from only a few weeks ago.
At the Asian Games, though, South Korea flexed their muscle.
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Elsewhere, thousands of Croatian children trolled England, Brazil played in India for the first time in their history and Barcelona Femeni demolished their rivals in a record-breaking El Clasico.
Let’s take a look at everything 👇
Something at the Asian Games 🌏
Eom Jisung scored the winning goal for South Korea to overcome Japan in Saturday’s final of the men’s tournament at the 2026 Asian Games.
The Swansea City winger scored four goals and registered three assists during the competition, making him the joint-top scorer alongside Uzbekistan's Sardorbek Bakhromov.
There was a strange moment after the final when South Korea’s flag wasn’t raised during the medal ceremony.
This has become a big story in South Korea with Japan facing criticism from across the region for its hosting of the Asian Games. Many speculated that the flag was deliberately left unraised as a mark of disrespect.
Regardless, South Korea’s run saw them beat Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vietnam, China and Japan. Japan won gold in the women’s tournament, beating North Korea in the final.
It was an Asian Games to remember in men’s and women’s football.
Something in India 🇮🇳
Brazil faced India for the first time over the weekend with the Selecao cruising to a 4-0 victory over the team ranked 138th in the world.
Amazingly, the Brazilian media reaction to this result and performance was scathing. Many expected Carlo Ancelotti’s side to score double figures. This lovely goal by Estevao, however, surely satisfied some supporters back home!
Something to say goodbye 👋
Edin Dzeko is a Bosnian football legend and the former Manchester City bid farewell to the international game after Friday’s UEFA Nations League game against Sweden.
Dzeko was given a guard of honour as he was substituted off. There was also a flare display in a nearby apartment block on the 11th minute - Dzeko wore the number 11 for the national team.
What an icon! Bosnia will miss him dearly. Their greatest-ever player.
Something in real life
Ted Lasso might be the worst TV show ever committed to screen (you know I’m right), but this was still a cool moment.
Cristo Fernandez, known for playing Dani Rojas in the Apple TV series, made his USL Championship debut for El Paso Locomotive FC. Which team is going to sign Jason Sudeikis?
Something trolling 😈
A stadium ban meant Croatia’s usual support was prevented from attending Saturday’s UEFA Nations League match against England.
Instead, the stands were packed with local schoolchildren who didn’t waste the opportunity to troll Thomas Tuchel’s team with this banner.
England, like Michael Jordan, however, said “f*** them kids” and inflicted Croatia’s worst-ever defeat on Luka Modric and co, winning 7-0.
Something sent off
I know a lot of subscribers to The Soccer Dispatch are based in the USA and will have already seen this incident from Saturday’s match in Glendale. But for those who haven’t - watch this!
Mexico’s Mateo Chavez was sent off for slapping Sebastian Berhalter, but that doesn’t quite do justice to the true act. A DOUBLE cheek slap?!
Has anyone seen one of these in a football match before?!
Something in El Clasico 🇪🇸
Barcelona’s complete dominance over Real Madrid in Spanish women’s football continued with a stunning 7-0 victory for the Catalans at Camp Nou on Sunday.
Out of 25 meetings with Real Madrid, Barcelona Femeni have won, outscoring them 99-12. Even by this standard, though, Barca’s win was their largest over their rivals from the Spanish capital.
Something canine 🐶
Saturday’s UEFA Nations League match between North Macedonia and Scotland had a canine pitch invader.
Is there anything more joyful than the sight of a dog on a football pitch? No. There isn’t. That’s settled.
Something a ton up 💯
Speaking of Scotland, Andy Robertson won his 100th international cap in the UEFA Nations League victory over North Macedonia.
The left back is now just two caps away from equalling Kenny Dalglish’s all-time record for the most appearances for Scotland. Robertson is still only 32. He’s surely going to obliterate Dalglish’s record!
Something offside
Check out this moment in a U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Tunisia and Libya which caused massive controversy.
Libya believed they were through on goal with the opposition goalkeeper stranded at the wrong end of the pitch. That belief, however, failed to take into account how the goalkeeper’s position would make the attacker offside…
Someone explain the rules to these protesting Libyan players! 🤦♂️
Something in protest
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal career is as good as over after the 41-year-old rage quit in protest at Jorge Jesus’ decision to leave him on the bench for a match against Norway.
Jesus’ decision has divided opinion in Portugal. Some have the correct opinion that Ronaldo was holding back his national team and others have bought protest billboards…
AI protest billboards, at that.
Something in solidarity
Palestine’s national team played a friendly match against Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor on Sunday.
There was some spectacular tifo choreography from the Konyaspor fans as they showed solidarity with their opponents. The match was also symbolically stopped one second before the end of regulation time.
The match is suspended until Palestine is free.
Something uncharitable
The Tennent’s Sixes tournament took place in Glasgow over the weekend. It’s a six-a-side charity tournament for former pros. To reiterate - it’s for charity.
That didn’t stop tempers flaring between rivals Dundee United and St Johnstone, though. Look at this shocker of a tackle by St Johnstone’s Frazer Wright and the melee that ensued!
Again - this is for charity.
Something permanent
As covered in The Soccer Dispatch a couple weeks ago, Diego Forlan is the new Uruguay manager - and the former striker still has the same old finishing instincts!
Check out this video of Forlan finding the back of the net during Uruguay training. Form is temporary, class is permanent - even at the age of 47.
Something not given
This incident took place in the Spanish third division over the weekend and it’s just as well for Real Jaen that there’s no VAR at this level!
The Jaen player just full-on SAVED the shot and this took place in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Some TSD content you might have missed… 🗞️
🇨🇳 China’s youth football revolution is starting to yield eye-catching results
Chinese football has had more than a few false dawns. The great unrealised superpower of the world’s game remains that - unrealised.