South Korea produced a thrilling comeback to defeat Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening World Cup match in Guadalajara on Friday.
Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu proved the match-winner, tapping home a cross from Hwang In-beom in the 80th minute to complete a famous turnaround.
Captain Son Heung-min had dominated proceedings throughout, registering five of South Korea’s eight first-half efforts as his side pressed for an opening goal.
Czech Republic broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 59th minute, with captain Ladislav Krejci heading home a long throw from Vladimir Coufal.
It was the visitors’ first shot on target of the entire match, and it came from a set-piece rather than any sustained attacking buildup from the Czechs.
Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom responded brilliantly just eight minutes later, equalising after being found inside the box by the lively Lee Kang-in.
Hwang deceived goalkeeper Matej Kovar, who had rushed off his line, faking to shoot before scooping the ball over the keeper and into an unguarded net.
South Korea thought they had been undone again in the 78th minute when Tomas Soucek nodded home a free-kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside to give Hong Myung-bo’s side a huge reprieve.
Oh then settled the match moments later, and goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu ensured the victory was secure with a brilliant low stop to deny Adam Hlozek’s close-range effort in the 82nd minute before also stopping Michal Sadilek in stoppage time.
It marks the first time in four consecutive World Cup editions that South Korea have won their opening game of the tournament.
Son, who left Tottenham Hotspur to join MLS side LAFC in August 2025, is playing in his fourth World Cup and holds the record for most appearances for the South Korean national team with 145 caps and 56 goals.
He needs just two goals to draw level with Cha Bum-kun as South Korea’s all-time top scorer, but was replaced shortly after the equaliser having failed to add to his three existing World Cup goals.
His replacement, former Celtic striker Oh, marked his World Cup debut in the most memorable fashion by claiming the decisive goal.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended the match at Estadio Guadalajara, where an announced attendance of 44,985 filled most but not all of the 45,664-capacity venue, with rows of empty seats visible around the ground.
FIFA has faced criticism over its ticket pricing policy for this tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with organisers accused of “artificially inflating prices” and “misleading fans.”
Infantino defended the pricing structure on Wednesday, calling it “accurate” for the North American market and insisting demand had been “unprecedented by a factor of 10 or more.”
South Korea will face co-hosts Mexico next on Friday 19 June, while Czech Republic take on South Africa on Thursday 18 June as both sides look to build on this opening result.
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