48 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Park Changsun
Argentina v Korea Republic
Mexico 1986 | Group A
Estadio Olimpico Universitario, Mexico City
It was supposed be about Diego Maradona. It was. ‘El Pibe de Oro’ set up three goals to put Argentina 3-0 up on their Mexico 1986 debut.
Korea Republic, who had lost their previous World Cup games 9-0 and 7-0, were determined to seize consolation for their admirable efforts. They did – and in some style.
Choi Soonho skilfully skipped past three Argentinians and insightfully stopped Cho Kwangrae taking the ball from his feet. Choi had noticed one of the greatest long-range shooters in Asian history lurking. He duly laid it off to Park Changsun, who walloped the ball into the top corner of net before goalkeeper Nery Pumpido could even dive.
It kick-started an admirable campaign in which Korea Republic got their first World Cup point against Bulgaria and only lost 3-2 to defending champions Italy.
Park’s wonder goal and performances in Mexico rewarded him with another Maradona encounter on the Americas. The following month, he became only the third Asian to participate in a FIFA All-Star Game. Park represented a side including Manuel Amoros, Soren Lerby, Felix Magath, Igor Belanov and Paolo Rossi, and co-coached by Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff, against an Americas XI comprising Pumpido, Alemao, Falcao, Manuel Negrete and Maradona at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
