South Korea began their World Cup campaign with a 2-1 success against the Czech Republic after overturning a second-half deficit. The victory was secured late in the contest when substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu found the net ten minutes from time.
For much of the encounter, the Korean team dictated play and created the better opportunities. Led by captain Son Heung-min, they regularly threatened the Czech defence, producing eight attempts before the interval. Son was responsible for five of those efforts, although his clearest opening was denied by goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
Despite spending long periods under pressure, the European side offered little attacking danger during the opening hour and failed to test the Korean goalkeeper with any effort on target.
Czech Republic strike against the run of play
The breakthrough arrived in the 59th minute from a set-piece situation. Vladimir Coufal launched a long throw into the penalty area, where captain Ladislav Krejci rose highest and directed a header into the goal to put the Czech Republic ahead.
The lead, however, lasted only a short time. Eight minutes later, South Korea restored parity through Hwang In-beom after a clever attacking move involving Lee Kang-in. Receiving the ball inside the box, Hwang outwitted Kovar, who had advanced from his line, by disguising his intentions before lifting the ball over the goalkeeper and into the empty net.
That equaliser transformed the momentum of the match and gave Hong Myung-bo’s side renewed belief as they pushed for a winning goal.
Late drama decides the contest
The closing stages produced several decisive moments. With 12 minutes remaining, the Czech Republic thought they had regained the advantage when Tomas Soucek converted a delivery from a free kick. Their celebrations were cut short, however, as the effort was disallowed for offside.
South Korea quickly capitalised on that reprieve. In the 80th minute, Hwang supplied a cross into the area that was finished from close range by Besiktas attacker Oh Hyeon-gyu, completing the comeback and giving his team the lead for the first time.
Even after moving ahead, South Korea still needed important saves from Kim Seung-gyu to protect the result. The goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to stop Adam Hlozek from close distance in the 82nd minute before making another crucial intervention against Michal Sadilek during added time.
The result marked the first occasion in four World Cup editions that South Korea had opened the tournament with a victory.
Attention turns to the next fixtures
Both nations will now prepare for their second group matches. The Czech Republic is scheduled to meet South Africa on 18 June.
South Korea, meanwhile, will face tournament co-hosts Mexico on 19 June. Mexico entered that encounter after beginning their campaign with a 2-0 victory against South Africa.