Sudden drop in advancement probability sends South Korean media into panic: even Japan and Germany won't help, hopes of making the top 32 are fading

The final matches of World Cup groups E and F took place on June 26 Beijing time. Both third-placed teams, Ecuador and Sweden, finished with 4 points each, alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, to secure their places in the elimination round. Consequently, South Korea, which sits third in its own group, faced an even lower probability of advancing.

According to an update from the well-known foreign outlet TA, South Korea's chances of advancing as a third-placed team were as high as 94% after yesterday's matches. However, after Germany's surprising loss to Ecuador, the probability dropped to 86%, and following Japan's draw with Sweden, it further decreased to 82%.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, multiple South Korean media outlets have panicked, complaining that Germany and Japan deliberately refused to lend a hand.

South Korean media wrote: "Germany suffered an unexpected defeat, and Japan was held to a draw by Sweden—South Korea's path to the top 32 looks bleak!"; "Even Japan didn't help! South Korea's hopes of advancing are about to be crushed again!"; "I had hoped Japan would win, but things turned out the opposite—how did South Korean football sink to this level!"

Under the expanded World Cup qualification rules, the eight best third-placed teams from the 12 groups will advance to the top 32. So far, three teams have already claimed their spots, while South Korea and Scotland remain in a pending status.

Currently, South Korea has 3 points from one win and two losses, with a goal difference of -1, placing them 5th among the 12 third-placed teams. However, seven other third-placed teams have yet to play their final group matches.