South Korea survive Czech challenge to begin World Cup journey with victory

South Korea entered their World Cup campaign with ambition, intensity, and a mountain of missed opportunities. But after controlling much of the contest and watching chances slip away, they finally found the goals needed to secure a vital 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic on Thursday.

The result did not come easily.

For nearly 80 minutes, the match appeared destined to become a painful reminder of football’s harshest lesson: dominance means little without finishing. South Korea created repeatedly, controlled possession, and pushed the Czech defense backward, but their inability to convert left the door open.

The breakthrough eventually arrived through substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, whose late strike completed the turnaround inside a Guadalajara stadium that lacked the atmosphere of a packed World Cup venue but witnessed a tense and entertaining battle.

Son leads the attack but Korea frustrated early

The Koreans, led by captain Son Heung-min, immediately took control and dictated the pace.

The former Tottenham star was at the heart of their attacking moves, repeatedly threatening the Czech back line with his movement and creativity. One powerful effort from Son flew over the crossbar, while another promising attack saw him burst down the left, escape two defenders, and create space for a shot that drifted narrowly wide.

South Korea’s pressure continued throughout the opening half, but the scoreboard remained unchanged.

The Czechs held firm, survived wave after wave of pressure, and entered halftime level despite spending long periods defending.

Czech Republic strike first against the run of play

The second half brought an unexpected twist.

Just moments into the restart, the Czech Republic punished South Korea’s missed opportunities with a goal that came completely against the flow of play.

Ladislav Krejci attacked the near post with perfect timing, rising above the defense to meet a long thrown in and power a header beyond Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.

Suddenly, the team that had spent much of the match under pressure found itself ahead.

The goal forced South Korea to increase their urgency, and the response was immediate.

Hwang sparks the comeback

After sustained pressure, South Korea finally found the equalizer in the 67th minute through Hwang In-beom.

The midfielder showed composure under pressure, disguising his intentions before calmly lifting the ball over Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar to bring the match back level.

The goal changed the rhythm of the contest.

The Czechs briefly thought they had restored their advantage, but their effort was ruled out, allowing South Korea to continue pushing for the winner.

Oh provides the final blow

With time running down, South Korea’s persistence was rewarded.

Hwang became the creator as well as the scorer, delivering a dangerous cross from the right side that found substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu. The forward made no mistake, finishing clinically to complete the comeback and send the Korean supporters into celebration.

The final minutes were frantic as the Czech Republic searched desperately for another equalizer, but South Korea held on.

When the whistle finally ended the contest, Son dropped to the field in relief and joy, celebrating a victory that had tested his team’s patience and resilience.

Next tests await in Group A

The victory gives South Korea an important opening boost as they prepare for their next Group A challenge against co-hosts Mexico on June 18.

Mexico also began their tournament with a win, defeating South Africa 2-0 earlier Thursday.

The Czech Republic will look to recover when they meet South Africa in Atlanta on the same day, knowing they pushed a strong Korean side close despite ultimately falling short.