The entire nation would come to a standstill for 90 minutes as South Korea faced South Africa at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico in their final Group A match, needing only a draw to secure a place in the Round of 32.
South Africa has even higher stakes, needing nothing less than victory to keep its knockout hopes alive.
Hong Myung-bo is expected to retain the core of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Hwang In-beom and Kim Min-jae, although changes in attack and at wing-back remained possible after Korea's blunt display in the 1-0 defeat to Mexico.
South Africa, by contrast, is dealing with midfield absences after Teboho Mokoena and Siphephelo Sithole were ruled out through suspension, forcing them to reorganize the center of the pitch.
For Hong, the match also carries personal significance.
His first World Cup campaign as Korea coach ended painfully in Brazil in 2014 with a 4-2 defeat to Algeria, and South Korea have beaten African opposition only once at the World Cup — against Togo in 2006 — while drawing with Nigeria and losing to Algeria and Ghana.
Mexico also exposed a tactical weakness that South Africa was expected to target.
By shutting down Lee Kang-in and Hwang In-beom in midfield and denying service to Son Heung-min, Mexico disrupted Korea's buildup and reduced Hong's side to just one shot on target. South Africa were expected to defend deeper rather than press aggressively, meaning Korea would have to show far greater creativity against a compact defense.
The qualification equation nevertheless remains in South Korea's favor.
A draw would guarantee second place in Group A regardless of the outcome between Mexico and Czechia because Korea held the head-to-head advantage over the Europeans. Victory would send Hong's side into the Round of 32 with renewed momentum after the setback against the hosts.
Defeat is the only scenario that brings real danger.
If South Africa pulls off the upset, Korea's fate would hinge on the Mexico-Czechia result and the standings among the tournament's best third-placed teams, turning what was within Hong's side's control into an anxious wait — with the fingers of more than 50 million people back home firmly crossed.
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