Republic of Korea U20 — Paraguay U20 : Match Preview and Prediction for October 01,2025

South Korea’s Tournament Start

The Republic of Korea national team commenced the tournament with a 1:2 defeat to Ukraine. Despite this unfavorable outcome, the team managed to score a consolation goal, a detail vital for our analysis. The players demonstrated their capability to create scoring opportunities, further confirmed by a goal that was subsequently disallowed following a VAR review.

Defensive Vulnerabilities Highlighted

In their encounter against Ukraine, the Koreans conceded two rapid goals early in the match, specifically in the 13th and 16th minutes. This highlights particular issues in their defensive organization during the initial stages of games. Defensive struggles were also evident during the U20 Asian Cup, and the match against Ukraine once again brought these weaknesses to the forefront.

Promising Attacking Potential

Despite defensive concerns, the team certainly possesses attacking potential. In the second half against the Ukrainians, they took control, unleashing 7 shots on goal and earning 5 corner kicks. Their Expected Goals (xG) statistic reached 1.06, indicating a substantial number of quality scoring chances. Key attacking roles are played by Kim Tae-won from Portuguese ‘Portimonense’, who was the top scorer at the Asian Cup with 4 goals, and also Kim Myung-jun from Belgian ‘Genk’, who found the net in the first round.

Paraguay’s Thrilling Debut

Paraguay initiated their campaign with a dramatic 3:2 victory over Panama. This fixture evolved into a genuine goal-scoring thriller, with the South Americans securing their win in the 90+4 minute. It’s crucial to note that the team not only scored three times but also allowed their opponents to score twice.

Formidable Attacking Strength

Paraguay’s attacking lineup appears exceptionally potent. In their game against Panama, they registered 18 shots on goal, 9 of which were on target. Their Expected Goals (xG) metric reached 1.70, validating the high quality of opportunities they created. Special recognition goes to forward Enzo González, who plays for English ‘Wolverhampton’ and scored in the first round.

Defensive Concerns Persist

However, Paraguay’s defense does not seem impenetrable. Conceding two goals to Panama, especially the first one as early as the 5th minute, sends a serious warning signal. This aligns with a broader trend: in 4 out of the last 5 matches involving the Paraguay U20 national team, both teams managed to score. This attacking-oriented style of play, often at the expense of defensive solidity, creates all the preconditions for a high-scoring encounter.