4 Takeaways From South Korea's Comeback Win Over Czechia

In an entertaining nightcap to conclude the opening day of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, South Korea surged late to secure a comeback win over Czechia. After a frustrating first half that saw South Korea dominate without scoring, Czechia opened the scoring with a set-piece goal from captain Ladislav Krejčí. This only served as a wake-up call for South Korea, which raised its game considerably and got impressive goals from In-Beom Hwang and Hyun-Gyu Oh.

1. South Korea’s Persistence Pays Off

The game opened with South Korea dominating possession, while Czechia sat back patiently focusing on team defense. That was expected as Czechia has relied on its defense for years. However, South Korea won this game by not becoming frustrated, even when it easily could have. Despite creating several chances in the final 10 minutes of the first half, South Korea went to halftime empty-handed. In the second half, Czechia took the lead against the run of play through Krejčí's goal. At a time when South Korea could have crumbled under pressure, the team stuck with its game plan and remained focused on its attack, leading to a goal in the 67th minute. Hwang scored after a brilliant pass from Lee Kang-In. Hwang later set up Oh for the winner, showcasing South Korea's attack.

2. Czechia Are Set Pieces Masters, But More Is Needed

Czechia’s game plan was no secret; its biggest strength lay in scoring from set pieces. In World Cup qualifying, 11 of its 22 goals were from set pieces. Krejčí, who has played for Wolverhampton in the Premier League, was particularly dominant and garnered a World Cup goal in this match. In the 78th minute, Czechia nearly scored from another set piece, but it was ruled offside. For Czechia to advance in the tournament, a more balanced attack will be necessary, as they did not create much from open play.

3. Son’s Frustrations For Korea

Son Heung-min is celebrated as the most successful Korean player and had a strong first season with Los Angeles FC in MLS. However, his performance in 2026 has been underwhelming, with no goals in 13 games. Despite generating dangerous chances during this match, including a close-range effort that forced a save, he did not score before being substituted. The pressure on him will now be significant as South Korea aims to excel in knockout rounds.

4. Kang-In Lee & Hwang Were Korea's Stars

South Korea’s Lee and Hwang emerged as the best players on the field. Lee, a midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain, was pivotal in driving the attack throughout the match. Hwang scored and assisted, standing out particularly in the second half. Together, they were crucial in lifting South Korea's performance and overcoming Czechia's organized defense.

What’s Next?

Both South Korea and Mexico secured three points in Group A, but South Korea sits second in the group due to goal differential. South Korea will face Mexico on Thursday, while Czechia, at zero points, remains third in the group and will compete against South Africa.