Oh Hyeon-gyu Plays Through Illness To Deliver Winning Goal As South Korea Edge Czechia In World Cup Opener

South Korea opened Group A with a 2-1 comeback win over Czechia in Zapopan, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scoring the decisive goal despite suffering from illness. Oh struck 10 minutes from time, guiding in Hwang In-beom’s cross, and the result moved Hong Myung-bo’s side level on three points with Mexico, who await in South Korea’s second match next Thursday.

Oh later explained that playing at all had been in doubt. Oh told reporters: "To be honest, I wasn't feeling well. My fever went up to 38 degrees Celsius, making me wonder if I could even play. Just being here at the World Cup is something I am grateful for. My coach gave me an opportunity, and I'm thankful I was able to score and help the team win. As a striker, that's all you can ask for. "

South Korea controlled much of the match with long spells of possession and patient passing. Czechia led through a powerful header from captain Ladislav Krejci just before the hour, yet that advantage lasted only eight minutes. Hwang equalised after a sharp turn and clinical finish, capping a flowing move built from deep, before Oh completed the turnaround from the right flank delivery.

The numbers underlined South Korea’s superiority on the ball and in chance creation. Hong Myung-bo’s team enjoyed 61.5% possession and generated 2.3 expected goals, while Czechia finished on 0.81. The sequence for Hwang’s leveller involved 25 passes, which matched the fifth-longest passing move leading to a World Cup goal since 1966, highlighting the methodical build-up.

Team	Possession (%)	Expected Goals (xG)
South Korea	61.5	2.3
Czechia	38.5	0.81

Oh’s strike added to South Korea’s impressive impact from the bench at recent World Cups. Oh became the eighth South Korea player to score on a World Cup debut, and the fifth to do so as a substitute. Three of South Korea’s last four goals at the tournament, stretching back to the 2022 edition, have now been scored by players entering from the bench.

South Korea still needed key interventions at the back to protect the lead against Czechia. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu produced a vital goal-line save to deny Adam Hlozek in the 82nd minute, then blocked a stoppage-time effort from Michal Sadilek. Kim said: "We were controlling the game, but if we had lost after conceding first, the responsibility could have fallen on the defenders and the goalkeeper. I am pleased that we were able to turn the game around and that my saves helped the team, even in a small way. "

South Korea World Cup stat	Figure
Total World Cup wins	8
Wins by 2-1 after trailing	4
Debut scorers for South Korea	8
Debut scorers as substitutes	5

South Korea World Cup context and Czechia outlook

The victory was South Korea’s eighth in World Cup history, and four of those have now finished 2-1 after South Korea had fallen behind. For Czechia, Krejci’s opener provided a personal milestone. The defender became the second Wolves player to score at the 2026 World Cup, following the recently returned Raul Jimenez’s earlier goal in the tournament.

Headers remain a clear feature of Czechia’s World Cup scoring record. Seven of Czechia’s last 14 World Cup goals, including those scored as Czechoslovakia since 1990, have arrived via headers. Yet Krejci focused on the defensive issues that allowed South Korea back into this match, with both goals conceded from similar deliveries and movements in the penalty area.

Krejci did not hide frustration with Czechia’s display against South Korea, especially without the ball. Krejci said: "I'm angry about those situations that we couldn't handle. Yes, we are getting used to the new tactics, and there may be nervousness in the first match at the World Cup, but the compactness must be there, we have to be on the pitch together. We conceded two goals of a similar style. We knew how important it was to keep the lead, but we didn't make it. Disappointment is the main feeling, but it's only the beginning, the tournament will be long. Now we're going to be angry, but we have to prepare for the next match from tomorrow, as we know how crucial it will be. "

Czechia now face a critical meeting with South Africa on Thursday, where a positive result is likely needed to stay in contention for the knockout rounds. South Korea, meanwhile, carry momentum into the meeting with Mexico, with strong substitute contributions, solid passing structure and decisive goalkeeping already shaping their 2026 World Cup campaign.