4 takeaways from South Korea’s comeback win over the Czech Republic in Group A

In an entertaining drink to end the opening day of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, South Korea came from behind to secure a comeback victory.

After a frustrating first half in which South Korea dominated without scoring, the Czech Republic opened the scoring with a set piece goal from captain Ladislav Krejčí. From there, however, it only served as a wake-up call for South Korea, who raised their game considerably and got impressive goals from In-Beom Hwang and Hyun-Gyu Oh.

Here are my takeaways:

1. South Korea’s persistence is paying off

The match opened with South Korea dominating possession and the Czech Republic patiently sitting back, focusing on the team’s defence. It was expected, as Czechia is a team that has been dependent on its defense for years.

But South Korea won this game by not getting frustrated when they easily could have been. Despite creating several chances in the final 10 minutes of the first half, South Korea went to the locker room empty-handed at halftime.

Then, in the second half, the Czech Republic took the lead completely against the run of play through its greatest strength on a set piece goal from Krejčí.

At a time when South Korea could have either crumbled under pressure, panicked or forced chances, the team stuck to its game plan and remained focused on its attack. In the end, the Taegeuk Warriors were rewarded with a brilliant goal in the 67th minute when Lee Kang-In delivered a brilliant pass that found Hwang, who chipped Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovár after some impressive footwork.

From there, it seemed only a matter of time before South Korea found the winner. Indeed, it happened when Hwang moved down the right and set up substitute Oh for a close-range finish.

South Korea head coach Myung-Bo Hong deserves a lot of credit. First, his decisions were spot on. Taking off captain and team legend Son Heung-min in the 69th minute is something that could have been seen as controversial if it didn’t work, but Oh came on and found the winner.

But more than his tactical decisions, Hong instilled a lot of determination in his team. Comeback wins are never easy at the World Cup and they require the team to have a strong mentality. It typically comes from the trainer.

2. The Czech Republic are set piece champions, but more is needed

When the Czech Republic came into this game, it was no secret. Its biggest strength is its ability to score from set pieces. In World Cup qualifying, 11 of its 22 goals were through set pieces. It only continued after 74-year-old head coach Miroslav Koubek was hired in December. In the playoff round of the UEFA qualifiers in March, the Czech Republic played Ireland and Denmark to a 2-2 draw before winning both games in shootouts. All four goals came from set pieces.

Krejčí, a central defender who most recently played for Wolverhampton in the Premier League on loan from Girona in Spain, has been particularly dominant. He scored in both the victories over Ireland and Denmark. Now he can add a World Cup goal to his CV.

In the 78th minute, the Czech Republic almost scored again from a set piece when Tomáš Souček headed home a free kick, but it was ruled offside after a very tight decision.

To make it in the World Cup, the Czech Republic needs a more balanced and varied attack. The team simply did not create much open play against Korea.

Despite falling short, the Czech Republic has a realistic path to the knockout round. A win over South Africa could be enough, given that eight of the 12 teams in third place advance and it also has a catch-up with Mexico.

3. Son’s frustrations for Korea

Son Heung-min is the most successful Korean player of all time, with a stellar European career between Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham, where he spent most of his career and eventually rose to captain the team. In 2025, he moved to Los Angeles FC in the MLS. His first season in MLS was strong with nine goals in 10 games, but 2026 has been a nightmare without a goal in 13 games.

It was an open question how that slump would carry over into this World Cup. Son was active and involved in dangerous chances. It looked like a goal was coming his way and his best opportunities came late in the first half, including a chipped chance deep inside the Czech Republic. In the second half he continued to threaten and had the best chance of the game in the 56th minute, forcing a save from close range.

In the end, he was subbed off in the 69th without contributing to a goal. Now the pressure will continue to mount on him. South Korea played its best football after Son was ruled out, but the team will ultimately need Son to capitalize if it wants to win knockout games. He remains crucial for the team to exploit its potential.

4. Kang-In Lee and Hwang were Korea’s stars

The two best players on the court in this match were South Korea’s Lee and Hwang. Both players combined for the equaliser, but that only tells part of the story of how good both players were.

Lee, a reserve midfielder for recent Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, was the driving force behind South Korea’s attack throughout the game. Even in the goalless first half, every promising attack typically came from him. In the second half, he raised his game.

Hwang was the man of the match as he scored and assisted in a dominant second half. The Feyenoord midfielder, who also played for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2019-2020, made the impressive big plays that took the Czech Republic out of its well-organized defensive shell and opened the game.

4 ½. What’s next?

South Korea and Mexico both picked up three points in Group A on Thursday, but South Korea currently sit second in the group on goal difference. It will have the chance to leapfrog El Tri in the standings in their meeting at the Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.

The Czech Republic is third in Group A with zero points and a goal difference of minus-1. It will play last-placed South Africa in its second group stage match on Thursday.