South Korea was eliminated, losing out on a massive 1.1 billion won prize! Korean media fumed: dubbed the golden generation, yet they became the worst in history

On June 28, Beijing time, the Democratic Republic of Congo staged a 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan in the last group stage match of Group K. The DRC, accumulating four points, clinched a place in the knockout rounds, simultaneously ending South Korea's World Cup campaign.

Following the cruel confirmation of elimination, several South Korean media channels voiced their frustration. News outlet Newsis disappointedly wrote: "Hong Myung-bo's squad, once shouting 'reach the quarterfinals,' experienced three days of 'hopeful agony' before being eliminated in the group stage."

Out of nine possible scenarios for advancing, only three were needed for survival, but in the end, only Spain's victory over Uruguay materialized.

Ultimately, the originally high 87% probability of reaching the round of 32 turned to zero on the final day, bringing Hong Myung-bo's World Cup journey to an end.

Other Korean media outlets also lamented: "Doctors removed South Korea's oxygen tank after three days of rescue"; "No miracle—the golden generation featuring Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in exits in disgrace, giving birth to the worst Korean team in history"; "South Korea officially packs up and heads home!"

It is regrettable that with South Korea finishing third in the group and falling out of the top eight, the 1.1 billion won (approximately 4.873 million RMB) bonus for advancing was lost.

Previously, Korean Football Association Chairman Chung Mong-gyu had promised to personally donate 1 billion won (about 4.43 million RMB) if South Korea qualified for the World Cup round of 16. The association itself was set to provide 100 million won (about 443,000 RMB) as an advancement bonus. Now, South Korea has certainly missed out on this 1.1 billion won prize.