Finally, the plug has been pulled! South Korea officially eliminated from World Cup group stage after three agonizing days of waiting: seven crushing pieces of bad news in a row.

In a key Group K final-round match on June 28 Beijing time, DR Congo overturned a deficit to beat Uzbekistan 3-1. Earning four points, DR Congo advanced to the knockout stage and officially knocked South Korea out of the tournament.

Before this match, South Korea was already ranked eighth among the 12 third-placed teams, dangling by a thread and only one step from elimination. South Korea's only chance to stay alive was if DR Congo lost.

However, although Uzbekistan scored in the 10th minute and gave South Korea hope for nearly an hour, DR Congo netted three goals in quick succession late in the second half, delivering a final death sentence to the Korean side.

It is a pity that after losing 0-1 to South Africa in their last group match, South Korea spent three tense days waiting for their fate. Of the eight subsequent matches, seven brought them bad news. Ultimately, after DR Congo's comeback win over Uzbekistan, the "Taegeuk Warriors" received the heartbreaking news of their elimination.

So far, seven of the eight best third-placed teams have been determined: Sweden, Ghana, Ecuador, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paraguay, Senegal, and DR Congo. The final spot will be decided between Iran and the third-place team from Group J.