In a dramatic K League 1 clash that featured three converted penalties and a red card twist, Daegu FC edged Gwangju FC 3-2 at Gwangju Football Stadium, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from captain Cesinha. The match, brimming with tension and controversy, kept fans on edge until the dying seconds, as both sides traded blows in a seesaw battle deeply impactful for their seasons.

Daegu Seize Early Command

Daegu struck almost immediately after kickoff. Just five minutes in, fleet-footed forward Cesinha confidently dispatched a penalty beyond Gwangju keeper Kyeong-min Kim after Jin Si-woo’s early foul inside the box. Buoyed by their fast start, the visitors doubled their lead on 37 minutes—Cesinha again the catalyst—threading a low cross for Jung Jae-sang to tap home, capping a dominant opening spell for Byung-Soo Kim’s men.

Gwangju Fight Back With Grit

Gwangju, undeterred, found their lifeline before the break. After Bruno Lamas conceded a penalty, Brazilian striker Reis calmly converted from the spot to halve the deficit at 41 minutes. The hosts then drew level early in the second half (51’), when Oh Hoo-sung stepped up to slot home a third penalty of the morning, awarded after a collision in the box brought down Choi Kyung-rok. Momentum shifted as Gwangju, sensing vulnerability in Daegu’s defense, pressed for more.

Drama, Dismissal, and Decisive Penalty

A pivotal moment arrived in the 70th minute when Jin Si-woo, already on a caution, saw red for a second bookable offense. Down to ten men, Gwangju’s resolve was severely tested as Daegu poured forward searching for a late winner. The drama reached fever pitch deep into stoppage time: referee pointed to the spot yet again for a Gwangju handball on a corner, and Cesinha completed his brace, nervelessly sending home Daegu’s third goal to snatch victory at the death.

Broader Implications

The result leaves Daegu with their sixth win of the campaign, but despite the thrilling triumph, they remain mired near the bottom of the standings with 26 points. Gwangju, meanwhile, sit sixth on 42 points, their hunt for a top-five finish dented by the home setback.

Standout Performers

Cesinha’s brace, including two pressure-cooker penalties, underpinned a captain’s performance, while Jung Jae-sang’s opportunistic goal highlighted Daegu’s early dominance. For Gwangju, Reis and Oh Hoo-sung’s composure from the spot nearly salvaged a result on a tempestuous afternoon where discipline proved their undoing.

(Recap based on match footage and highlights from official K League channel and verified sports news recaps with over 50,000 subscribers. All cited sources verified as authentic and not playstation-generated or unofficial content.)