FT · World: International Friendly · Thursday, 24 September 2026

South Korea 3–0 EcuadorMatch recap & Bawler model verdict · Thursday, 24 September 2026

South Korea
3–0
South Korea win
Ecuador
> 🧠 Model verdict
✗ Result against the lean

Pre-match, Bawler had South Korea at 28%, draw at 31%, Ecuador at 41%. Against expectation, the match finished 3-0. The model's headline call was Ecuador to win.

> Pre-match probability vs result
Korea win
28%
Actual ✓
Draw
31%
Ecuador win
41%
> Expected vs actual goals
Model expected (xG)
0.96 – 1.21
Total 2.16
Actual
3 – 0
Total 3 (+0.8 vs xG)

Match overperformed xG by 0.8 goals. Above-expectation scoring — could be finishing, set-piece luck, or genuine attacking quality the model under-rated.

> 🧾 What the model called · and how it landed
High confidence
X2
Pre-match: 72%
✗ Lost
Outside shot
Over 3.5 Goals
Pre-match: 17%
✗ Lost
> What we said pre-match
"Ecuador's 1.21 xG edge and 41% win probability make the Draw or Ecuador (X2) forecast the model's high-confidence call at 72%."

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