FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: South Korea come from behind to beat Czech Republic

South Korea came from behind to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 as substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winning goal in the 80th minute of their World Cup opener.

Son Heung-min and company had dominated the game against the Czechs, who did not have a shot on target until their captain, Ladislav Krejci, rose to head home a long throw from Vladimir Coufal for the opening goal in the 59th minute.

Former Tottenham forward Son, captaining his nation, had five of South Korea’s eight efforts in the first half, and his biggest chance was blocked by goalkeeper Matej Kovar shortly after the interval.

But Feyenoord defensive midfielder Hwang In-beom inspired South Korea’s fightback when he equalised only eight minutes after the Czech opener by defender Krejci, who spent last season on loan at Wolves.

Found inside the box by the lively Lee Kang-in, Hwang deceived Kovar, who had rushed off his line, as he faked to shoot before scooping the ball over the Czech keeper and into an unguarded goal to make it 1-1.

South Korea thought they had been undone by another Czech set-piece in the 78th minute as Tomas Soucek nodded home a free-kick from the left, but Hong Myung-bo’s side were handed a reprieve as the goal was ruled out for offside.

And their supporters at Estadio Guadalajara were soon celebrating as their side took the lead, with Besiktas forward Oh tapping home a cross from Hwang to complete the turnaround.

But the famous win was only sealed courtesy of keeper Kim Seung-gyu, who produced a brilliant low stop to block Adam Hlozek’s close-range effort in the 82nd minute and also denied Michal Sadilek in stoppage time.

It is the first time in four editions of the World Cup that South Korea have made a winning start to their campaign.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino was among the spectators in Guadalajara, where Fifa said the capacity would be 45,664 for the four games it will be hosting.

The attendance was announced as 44,985, although there were rows of empty seats, not just in the most expensive sections on the halfway line but around the stadium. (BBC Sport) 

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