Sonny at the double as South Korea hit seven in Singapore

Heung-Min Son led from the front again as South Korea beat Singapore 7-0 on Thursday to secure their place at the top of Group C in the second round of Asia Football Confederation qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Earning his 126th cap, skipper Sonny scored twice in the second half at the National Stadium in Singapore, taking his tally to 48 international goals since making his debut back in 2010.

[GOAL] 대한민국🇰🇷 3-0 🇸🇬싱가포르
후반 8분, 캡틴 손흥민의 환상적인 돌파에 이은 정교한 슛!
완벽한 솔로골로 캡틴의 품격을 보여줍니다⭐#대한민국 #축구국가대표팀 #월드컵 #2차예선 pic.twitter.com/gOAv2WN542

— theKFA (@theKFA) June 6, 2024

Both goals were trademark Sonny, cutting in from the left before curling into the bottom corner from the edge of the box with his right foot.

South Korea were 2-0 up at the break with goals from Lee Kang-in (PSG) and Joo Min-kyu (Ulsan Hyundai). Korea then struck three times in quick succession, with Sonny's double on 53 and 56 minutes, sandwiched by Lee Kang-in's second. Bae Jun-ho (Stoke) and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves) wrapped up the scoring.

Thursday's results saw Korea move five points clear of China in second with a game remaining. They progress to the AFC's third qualifying round for the 2026 finals hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico and the USA.

[GOAL] 대한민국🇰🇷 5-0 🇸🇬싱가포르
후반 11분, 손흥민이 손흥민존에서 손흥민했습니다✨#대한민국 #축구국가대표팀 #월드컵 #2차예선 pic.twitter.com/3YmNHZD3o5

— theKFA (@theKFA) June 6, 2024

The third qualifying begins in September. Eighteen qualifying teams will be split into three groups of six, with the top two of each group progressing directly to the 2026 finals.

If Korea make it, it would be Sonny's fourth World Cup after appearing in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Rest of today's action

Ben Davies, Brennan Johnson and Joe Rodon – Wales friendly against Gibraltar in Portugal – kick-off 5pm
Micky van de Ven – Netherlands home friendly against Canada – kick-off 7.45pm
Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal home 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against DR Congo – kick-off 8pm

And Friday...

Dane Scarlett – England Elite League Squad (Under-20s) friendly against Sweden Under-21 in Croatia – kick-off 3pm
Radu Dragusin – Romania home friendly against Liechtenstein – kick-off 7pm