As North hosts South Korea in World Cup qualifier, world set to be left in dark

There were no fans and no goals as North Korea and South Korea drew 0-0 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday while Marcello Lippi’s China dropped their first points as they were held to a surprise goalless draw in the Philippines.

North and South Korea, still technically at war because their 1950-53 civil conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, played out a 0-0 draw in front of an empty Kim Il Sung Stadium.

Only the visiting FIFA President Gianni Infantino and a small group of officials and dignitaries were present to witness the game, which was their first ever meeting in World Cup qualifying in Pyongyang.