FIFA World Cup
South Korea 2 – 1 Czech Republic FT
South Korea came from behind to defeat 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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
The attendance was announced as 44,985 although there were rows of empty seats, not just in the most expensive sections on halfway but around the stadium.
Fifa has been criticised for its ticket policy for the World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the tournament organisers accused of “artificially inflating prices” and “misleading fans”.
Speaking on Wednesday, Infantino defended the pricing structure as “accurate” for the North American market, insisting that demand had been “unprecedented by a factor of 10 or more”.
Son makes way before winner
For many years Son has been South Korea’s talisman, scoring 56 goals from 145 appearances.
Advertisement
He holds the record for most games for the national team and needs two goals to draw level with Cha Bum-kun as their all-time leading scorer.
The 33-year-old, who left Spurs to join MLS side LAFC in August 2025, is playing in his fourth World Cup and linked seamlessly with Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung to create a host of first-half chances.
Son had one shot deflected over before sending two strikes from outside the box off-target. He then failed to connect properly when stretching for a return ball in the box.
His clearest opportunity came early in the second half, when he tried to lift the ball over Kovar but did not get enough on it.
Advertisement
Son was replaced two minutes after South Korea’s equaliser having failed to add to his three World Cup goals, and it was his replacement, ex-Celtic striker Oh, who claimed the winner on his World Cup bow.
What’s next for these teams?
Czech Republic will next face South Africa on Thursday, 18 June (17:00 BST) while South Korea take on World Cup co-hosts Mexico, who beat South Africa 2-0 in their first match, on Friday, 19 June (02:00 BST).
