Czechia fall late to South Korea in World Cup return

Heartbreak at the death

Czechia's first World Cup match in 20 years ended in cruel fashion. Oh Hyun-Gyu scored in the 80th minute to give South Korea a 2–1 victory in Group A, after Hwang In-beom had cancelled out Ladislav Krejčí's opener (1) (2) (3). You led for eight minutes. Then it unravelled late.

Krejčí gives you the dream

Ladislav Krejčí put Czechia ahead in the 59th minute, a moment 20 years in the making (4) (5). For 67 minutes, you were living it, your first World Cup goal since 2006 and a genuine chance to start Group A with three points.

Hložek denied at the death

It nearly got worse. Adam Hložek had a chance to equalise in stoppage time but Kim Seung-Gyu pulled off a critical save (6) (7). The margins were brutal.

What it means for the group

South Korea take control of Group A with three points. Czechia sit bottom after matchday one, but the group stays wide open. You face the next fixture needing a response, and fast.

Fan-reaktioner

Fans are split between pride and pain. Krejčí's goal was celebrated as a historic moment, but the late collapse has stung. The disallowed goal at 1–1 is a major talking point, many feel it could have changed everything. See the reactions on Reddit.