Italy vs South Korea: World Cup head-to-head record
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Italy lead South Korea in World Cup head-to-head record with 1 win and 1 draw from 2 meetings, with South Korea yet to defeat the Azzurri at a World Cup. The two nations have met twice in FIFA World Cup history — once in the group stage and once in the knockout rounds — producing a combined five goals and one of the tournament's most controversial moments.
Across both encounters, Italy have never lost to South Korea on the World Cup stage, though the 2002 clash ended in dramatic, disputed fashion and remains one of the most talked-about matches in tournament history.
Match-by-Match World Cup Record
The first meeting came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where Italy and South Korea were drawn in the same group. Italy ran out 3-2 winners in a lively encounter on Matchday 3, securing the points and underlining their status as one of the tournament's elite sides. South Korea pushed hard but ultimately fell short, making it Italy's win in their debut head-to-head.
The 2002 Controversy
The second meeting — the 2002 Round of 16 in Daejeon — is etched into World Cup folklore. Italy and South Korea finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, and the match went to extra time. South Korea progressed via a golden goal, ending Italy's tournament. The match was overshadowed by highly contentious refereeing decisions, including the disallowance of Italian goals and a red card for Francesco Totti, sparking debate that continues to this day. Despite South Korea advancing, the result is officially recorded as a draw (1-1) at the end of normal time, and Italy do not carry a defeat in the all-time ledger.
Full Head-to-Head Table
| Year | Stage | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Group Stage (Matchday 3) | South Korea 2-3 Italy |
| 2002 | Round of 16 | South Korea 1-1 Italy |
Fans heading to the 2026 World Cup can follow any potential future meeting between these sides — and track the full tournament schedule — at Bola 2026, where live scores and bracket tools keep you across every fixture.
Frequently asked questions
Has South Korea ever beaten Italy at the World Cup?
No. In two World Cup meetings, South Korea have never beaten Italy. The head-to-head stands at Italy 1 win, 1 draw, South Korea 0 wins. South Korea did advance past Italy in 2002, but the match ended 1-1 after normal time.
What happened in the Italy vs South Korea 2002 World Cup match?
The 2002 Round of 16 clash ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. South Korea advanced via a golden goal in extra time, but the match is remembered for controversial refereeing, including disallowed Italian goals and a red card for Francesco Totti.
How many times have Italy and South Korea met at the World Cup?
Italy and South Korea have met twice at the World Cup — in the 1986 group stage (Italy won 3-2) and the 2002 Round of 16 (drew 1-1). These are the only two fixtures between the sides in World Cup history up to and including 2022.