Saudi Arabia 3-2 South Korea

Saudi Arabia 3-2 South Korea
International Friendly
Friday 13 November 2026 | Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Al Rayyan (Doha), Qatar

Saudi Arabia claimed a memorable 3-2 victory over South Korea in an international friendly, ending a 21-year wait for a win against the Taegeuk Warriors. Marwan Al-Sahafi, Mohamed Kanno and Abdulelah Al-Amri scored for the hosts under Georgios Donis, while Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung replied for South Korea.

First half

The match was competitive throughout the opening period. South Korea created several promising moments, including efforts involving Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, but Saudi Arabia remained organised. In first-half stoppage time (45'+2), Al-Sahafi capitalised on a moment of hesitation from South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu to open the scoring and give Saudi Arabia a 1-0 lead at the break. It was Al-Sahafi’s first goal for the national team.

Second half

South Korea responded immediately after the restart. In the 47th minute, Seol Young-woo crossed from the right and Oh Hyeon-gyu finished with a right-footed volley to equalise at 1-1.

The advantage was short-lived. Just minutes later, in the 55th minute, Saud Abdulhamid found Mohamed Kanno inside the box, and the midfielder finished clinically to restore Saudi Arabia’s lead at 2-1. Three minutes later, from a corner delivered by Nasser Al-Dawsari, Abdulelah Al-Amri headed home to make it 3-1.

South Korea pulled one back in the 68th minute when substitute Lee Jae-sung finished after a pass from Hwang Hee-chan, but Saudi Arabia held firm to secure the 3-2 victory.

Full-time: Saudi Arabia 3-2 South Korea.

Key points

The result marks Saudi Arabia’s first win over South Korea since 2005 and ends the visitors’ six-match unbeaten run in the fixture. For South Korea, under interim coach Robert Moreno, it was their fifth match of the current window (two wins, one draw, two losses). The encounter provided useful preparation for both sides ahead of upcoming fixtures, with South Korea next facing Qatar in Doha.

Match Report by Dr. Talal Osman
Manager, GCC Sport