World Cup 2026 | South Korea 2 - 1 Czech Republic
South Korea came from behind to beat the Czech Republic in their World Cup opener
Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scoring the winner 10 minutes from time.
Author | Ajay
Stadium | Estadio Guadalajara
Son Heung-min and his team-mates dominated much of the contest against a Czech side that failed to register a shot on target until the 59th minute. Their captain, Ladislav Krejci, broke the deadlock when he rose highest to head in a long throw from Vladimir Coufal.
Former Tottenham forward Son, captaining his country, was at the heart of South Korea's attacking play. He accounted for five of their eight first-half attempts, although his best opportunity was denied by goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
South Korea responded swiftly
They were level just eight minutes later through Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom. Picked out inside the area by the impressive Lee Kang-in, Hwang wrong-footed Kovar, who had rushed from his line, with a clever dummy before delicately lifting the ball into the empty net.
The Koreans thought they had been punished by another Czech set-piece in the 78th minute when Tomas Soucek headed home a free-kick from the left, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Their supporters inside Estadio Guadalajara were celebrating soon afterwards as South Korea completed the turnaround. Besiktas striker Oh applied the finishing touch from close range after being picked out by Hwang's cross.
The victory was not secured without late drama. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu produced an excellent low save to keep out Adam Hlozek's close-range effort in the 82nd minute and then denied Michal Sadilek in stoppage time.
It marks the first time in four World Cup campaigns that South Korea have opened the tournament with a victory.
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