South Korea rally past Czechia in World Cup opener

Comeback win kicks off World Cup campaign

South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2–1 in their World Cup Group A opener on Friday. Ladislav Krejčí put Czechia ahead in the 59th minute, but Hwang In-beom leveled in the 67th and Oh Hyeon-gyu fired home the winner in the 80th (1) (2) (3). The victory puts South Korea level with Mexico on three points at the top of Group A, a huge step toward the knockout stage (7).

Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu turn it around

Hwang In-beom was the standout performer, earning praise from multiple outlets for dragging South Korea back into the match (10). His equalizer came from sharp build-up play after the Korean midfield finally found its rhythm, kicker called him the dominant figure on the pitch (10). Oh Hyeon-gyu then delivered the decisive blow late, completing the turnaround and sending the South Korean bench into chaos (2) (6). Heung-min Son captained the side but the night belonged to the two goalscorers.

A nervy start, then control

Czechia struck first through a Ladislav Krejčí goal that punished Korean hesitation at the back (1) (9). But the response was immediate and emphatic. South Korea tightened up, pushed Czechia deeper, and found space behind Vladimír Coufal on the right flank repeatedly in the second half (3). A disallowed Czech goal in the 77th minute, waved off for offside, kept the match at 1–1 moments before Oh Hyeon-gyu's winner (4).

Fan reactions

Korean fans on Reddit were jubilant after Oh Hyeon-gyu's late winner, with the goal clip thread drawing hundreds of upvotes. Relief dominated the mood after the disallowed Czech goal in the 77th minute, many admitted their hearts stopped before the offside flag went up. The alternate-angle footage of Krejčí's opener also sparked debate, with some crediting the strike and others questioning the defensive shape. Read the reactions here.