2014, 2018, 2022—and 2026: South Korea Again! Historic Fourth Straight Gold Medal, an Unprecedented Feat [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News]  A stirring victory report echoed through the heart of enemy territory. South Korean football brought down archrival Japan on its home turf and built an unprecedented monument to history: four consecutive Asian Games titles, a feat rarely seen even in world football.
The South Korea national under-23 football team, led by Lee Min-sung, defeated Japan 1-0 in the men's football final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 3rd. Eom Ji-sung of Swansea City Association Football Club scored the precious winning goal in the 16th minute of the second half, and South Korea held on until the final whistle.
With the victory, South Korean football completed the first-ever run of four consecutive Asian Games titles, following triumphs at the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta-Palembang, and 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. South Korea also extended its record for the most Asian Games titles to seven.



Most thrilling of all was the fact that Japan once again fell to South Korea. A Korea-Japan final was staged for the third consecutive Asian Games, following Jakarta and Hangzhou, and South Korea won all three encounters to prove its status as Asia's undisputed powerhouse. The tournament also produced a rare sweep, with South Korea defeating Japan in the finals of every ball sport in which the two countries met—including baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's handball, and men's football.

As befitted a final with a gold medal at stake, the match unfolded as a tense, knife-edge contest. Both teams cautiously probed for openings in the first half while maintaining their defensive balance. Japan looked to create chances through Yokoyama Yumeki's runs down the flank, and Fukunaga Yuya's shot in the 37th minute briefly sent a chill through South Korea before going wide.


Japan intensified its assault after the break. Yokoyama's turning shot in the ninth minute and Ichihara Rion's dangerous header two minutes later put South Korea under pressure, and the team appeared to lose control of the match temporarily.
But Lee Min-sung's side delivered a devastating response. In the 16th minute of the second half, the team converted its only clear chance into the winning goal with remarkable focus. Yang Min-hyeok of KVC Westerlo won the ball with a spirited press on the right flank and sent in a cross that reached Eom Ji-sung after a scramble. Inside the penalty area, Eom completely fooled his opponent by pretending to shoot with his right foot, then calmly fired a left-footed shot that ripped into Japan's net. South Korea's first shot on target of the match had become a thunderous winning goal that decided the gold medal.


Desperate after conceding, Japan launched an all-out attack. South Korea faced a frightening moment in the 35th minute when Ishii Hisatsugu's shot struck the post, but the team refused to concede through high pressing and desperate defensive efforts. South Korea held on to its 1-0 lead until the end, silenced Toyota Stadium, and claimed the 39th gold medal for its delegation on the final day of the Games.


[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter