Hwang In-beom scores debut goal for FC Porto, faces online abuse

Hwang In-beom picked a pretty good day to score his first goal for FC Porto. The South Korean midfielder found the net against arch-rivals Benfica on September 21, 2026, which also happened to be his birthday, helping Porto secure a 3-1 victory at Estádio do Dragão.

What followed off the pitch was less celebratory. A Benfica supporter left a racist comment on Hwang’s Instagram account, writing, “You can’t even open your eyes properly, you girl from Seoul.” Hwang’s response was sharp enough to become its own headline across Portuguese and South Korean media.

A birthday to remember at the Dragão

Hwang wasn’t even supposed to be a central figure in this match. He entered as a substitute in the 38th minute after Gabri Veiga went down with an injury, stepping into the kind of high-pressure derby environment that can swallow newcomers whole.

By the 60th minute, Hwang had restored Porto’s advantage after Benfica had equalized, pushing the scoreline to what would become a decisive 3-1 result. The goal was his first in Portugal’s top flight, arriving barely two months after his transfer from Feyenoord.

Porto’s win extended their perfect start to the 2026-27 season to seven consecutive victories. It also marked their first league derby win of the campaign.

Hwang joined Porto on July 21, 2026, for a base fee of €4.5 million that could rise to €5 million. Within weeks he had already lifted the Portuguese Super Cup.

The abuse, and the reply

The specific taunt, referencing his eyes and calling him “a girl from Seoul,” is the kind of comment that platforms struggle to moderate and players are increasingly unwilling to tolerate in silence. Rather than ignoring the message or issuing a formal statement, Hwang fired back with a witty reply that referenced his goal in the match. The exact wording drew praise from media outlets in both South Korea and Portugal.

A journeyman finds his stage

Before arriving at Porto, the midfielder had played professionally in South Korea, Canada, Russia, Greece, Serbia, and the Netherlands. Six countries across three continents, all before landing in Portugal.

His time at Feyenoord in the Netherlands put him on Porto’s radar, and the relatively modest €4.5 million transfer fee suggests Porto saw him as a calculated investment rather than a marquee signing.

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