Shocking Debut Match
Soccer is the world's most popular and commercial sport as a single discipline. The World Cup is its grandest event, boasting overwhelming popularity on a level unmatched by any other tournament—a true festival for the global masses.
For Koreans, who morph into die-hard supporters under the banner of FC Korea whenever the national team plays, the World Cup is a national spectacle drenched in public fervor. Naturally, the U-17 World Cup drew zero such hype.
What Koreans went crazy for was the senior World Cup, not the youth version.
Of course, it was still a World Cup, so it wasn't completely ignored. Broadcasters had even slotted in special coverage.
"Hello, soccer-loving viewers! I'm caster Park Min-guk on commentary duty. The U-17 Brazil World Cup has finally kicked off. Our national team faces a tough opponent right out of the gate. Commentator Kim Chan-seong, your thoughts?"
"Yes, it's undoubtedly a challenging matchup. Argentina's been oddly underwhelming in this tournament, but it's still Argentina, right? That said, we've got a real shot. Just like manager Jang Gi-tae exuded confidence in the pre-match interview—our boys can absolutely hold their own."
"The team lineup has seen some big changes this time."
"Exactly. Manager Jang Gi-tae shook up the attack line big-time."
"And the standout name has to be Jo Se-jin, right?"
"Ah, that kid. What a character."
Ahead of kickoff, the caster and commentator zeroed in on Rodrigo—or rather, Jo Se-jin.
His track record alone was a showstopper.
"For viewers who might not know, this guy's only been playing for half a year. Yet he's already hailed as a super high school prospect. Untouchable in the high school league."
"Half a year to national team? No way."
"Right?! It's absurd."
The caster and commentator were buzzing with excitement.
They loved the game, after all. A once-in-a-generation Korean genius? Of course they were hyped.
Their energy peaked as the players took the field.
"And there's the replay cam now. Number 9 on the back—Jo Se-jin. Man, he's gorgeous."
"Total actor vibes."
Looks mattered, and Jo Se-jin had them in spades. Drop-dead handsome. Meme-worthy levels.
But the buzz faded quick. World Cup opener—eyes were on the scoreline.
Sentiment leaned skeptical over optimistic. Sure, Argentina was slumping, but still Argentina. Draw seemed best-case; loss more likely.
Even FC Korea rarely dreamed of beating them outright.
Actually, surface-level knowledge made it worse. Argentina, fresh off their dazzling 2022 Qatar glory—the homeland of Lionel Messi himself.
Die-hards knew the U-17 side wasn't all that, but casuals didn't. And even "not living up to the hype," they outclassed Korea.
So heavyweights and lightweights alike braced for defeat, hoping for a "good fight" at least—gutsy play to earn respect.
"Kickoff."
"South Korea starts with the kickoff. Building from the back. Argentina's press line isn't too high early on. Feeling-out process? Woo Chang-hyun pushes forward. Jo Se-jin comes short—whoa!"
"Jo Se-jin! Takes it and rolls!! Spins past Argentina's Angelinio with a slick turn!! Korea attacks!!"
"Jo Se-jin to Bae Ji-ho! Quick one-two! Perfect! Back to Jo Se-jin. Should release—wait, shot!"
"Ahh, so close. Pinpoint to the corner—a beauty! But the keeper's super save!"
"Heartbreaker from Jo Se-jin. First shot on target at the one-minute mark. Korea corner."
"Classic strengths on display. Lives up to the super high school hype."
Not just the booth lost it over the early sizzler.
Pity over the keeper's clutch stop was short-lived. Argentina ramped up, bodies loosening, and the "yeah, figures" vibe spread—until Baek Do-hyeong's killer through-ball exploited the backline.
"Stay sharp, boys. Hermann shoots! Jung Se-gyu blocks with his body! Second ball—watch it! Baek Do-hyeong clears... Jo Se-jin!! Jo Se-jin!!"
"Check Jo Se-jin streaking into space! He's quick—blazing!!"
"Whoa! Baek—jumps! Insane, what?! Mid-air backheel drops it perfectly ahead!! Jo Se-jin's super play!! One-on-one with the keeper! Cool finish—beats him! GOAL!!"
"9th minute, first half—Jo Se-jin scores for Korea!! Tournament debut goal for Korea, and his international first!!"
The booth erupted, fueled by Jo Se-jin's fireworks.
From that 9th-minute opener:
"Jo Se-jin has it! Support him! He's isolated... breakthrough? Jo Se-jin, Joooooo—!!"
"Yesss! Jo Se-jin's filthy la croqueta!! Slips between two like nothing!!"
The ball danced lightning-quick between both insoles. La croqueta—the phantom dribble—bypassed two and rattled the net again.
"Unreal!—Jo Se-jin!! The high school league monster, Sekwang High's terror rookie does it!!"
The duo leaped up, throats raw with cheers.
* * *
First goal conceded fired them up. Second cooled them off. By the third:
"Block it!! Properly!!"
"Damn it, shut up, Jose!! You try blocking!!"
"Fuck... fuck...!!"
They crumbled.
Third goal. Argentina's defenders, once raging like infernos, now stared blankly at the net in daze. Three times already.
"We... let in three?"
"Why? Why can't we stop one guy? How...?"
Even coach Rodrigo, bellowing fire till the second goal, stood pale and rooted, watching the pitch.
His gaze fixed on the hat-trick hero.
First goal. Second. Third.
"Hattrick..."
The term slipped from Rodrigo's lips—a sigh of awe or despair.
"Why... why?"
Post-first goal, he'd ordered Angelinio to stick like glue. The "second Mascherano," a marking machine supreme among peers—erasing opponents utterly.
Useless.
Nothing worked. Close marking, physical battles, even pass intercepts—read like a book, gifting space instead.
So after the second, despite desperate attacks, he doubled up. Yet two couldn't contain him.
This... this was
Another level.
A monster unfit for youth tournaments.
"Coach... what now?"
The coach's limp query. Players' eyes brimmed with defeat.
Rodrigo crouched, clutching his head.
"...Drop the line."
No more goals, for the next match if nothing else.