Kim Min-jae plays 90 as South Korea beat Czechia 2–1
Kim Min-jae goes 90, South Korea open World Cup with 2–1 win over Czechia
South Korea kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2–1 victory over Czechia in Group A on June 11 (1) (2). A massive result that puts your team in a strong early position to advance from the group.
Min-jae solid at the back
Kim Min-jae started at center-back and played the full 90 minutes, anchoring the defense with a composed performance (1). The Bayern Munich defender was exactly what you needed in an opening match where every point counts.
Empty seats in Guadalajara
Despite official claims of a full stadium, large sections of empty seats were visible at Akron Stadium during the match (3). The atmosphere from those who did show up looked lively, but the optics weren't great for a World Cup opener.
Fan-reaktioner
The scenes after the final whistle were pure joy. Mexican fans joined Korean supporters outside the stadium, dancing and singing Gangnam Style together in what became one of the early viral moments of this World Cup. Watch the celebration here
Sources
- 1. bavarianfootballworks.com — Bayern Munich’s Day at the World Cup — June 11th Recap
- 2. fourfourtwo.com — World Cup day one highlights - Five goals, three red cards, tears of joy and the dreaded long throw
- 3. untold-arsenal.com — Would you vote for the man who claimed the stadium for the opening game was full?