South Korea breaks Czech Republic after comeback

South Korea claimed their first win at the World Cup in Group A, defeating Czech Republic 2-1. The Asians dominated their European opponents and deserved the three points, despite having to stage a comeback. Czech Republic took the lead in the 59th minute through Ladislav Krejci, but Hwang In-beom levelled in the 67th, before Oh Hyun-gyu sealed the win for the "Asian Tigers".

South Korea lined up with Heung-min Son leading the attack, supported by Kang-in Lee and Hwang In-beom, while the midfield trio consisted of Paik Seung-ho, Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kyu-hyuk.

Czech Republic relied on Patrik Schick up front, backed by Pavel Sulc and Lukas Provod. The double pivot was formed by Alexander Sojka and Tomas Soucek, with Tomas Coufal and Jaroslav Zeleny starting on the wings.

South Korea had the initiative in the opening ten minutes, but the Czech players defended well and gave their opponents little chance to create anything dangerous in front of Matej Kovar.

The first notable chance for the Asians came in the 11th minute, when Heung-min Son attempted a shot that was blocked and went over the bar. From the resulting corner, Han-beom Lee headed wide as well. In the 14th minute, Kovar was called into action for the first time, pulling off a fine save from a powerful Kang-in Lee strike.

Czech Republic's first opportunity came from a corner in the 22nd minute, when Tomas Soucek managed to connect with a difficult ball, but it passed wide of the goal. South Korea responded with a chance for Heung-min Son in the 38th minute, whose effort missed the target. The Asian star had an even better opportunity a minute later, driving through the centre and shooting from the edge of the box, only to see the ball go wide of the left post. Just before half-time, Hwang In-beom fired from distance but well over the bar.

The second half also began with Korean pressure and a golden chance to open the scoring. Matej Kovar produced two brilliant saves, first denying a long-range effort from Hwang In-beom, then reacting well to block Lee Jae-sung's follow-up. Kovar was called into action again in the 55th minute when Heung-min Son found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the Czech stopper came out in time to smother the shot.

Just when it seemed the Asians were the closer side to scoring, Czech Republic broke the deadlock against the run of play. In the 59th minute, Vladimir Coufal launched a long throw into the box, and Ladislav Krejci slipped his marker to head home for 0-1.

South Korea responded immediately. In the 67th minute, Hwang In-beom was played into the box, dummied past his marker and delicately chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

Czech Republic could have retaken the lead in the 77th minute when Tomas Soucek headed in from a free-kick delivery, but he was quickly flagged offside and the goal was disallowed.

South Korea struck right after. In the 80th minute, Oh Hyun-gyu made it 2-1, perfectly meeting a cross from the right by Hwang In-beom.

In the 82nd minute, Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu was called upon to make a crucial save from a close-range Adam Hlozek effort, with only his brilliant reaction preventing the equaliser. In added time, Kim produced a second superb stop, denying Michal Sadilek with a powerful low drive.

South Korea held on to claim the victory and their first three points of the tournament, moving into second place in the provisional group standings, trailing leaders Mexico only on goal difference. Czech Republic remain without a point in third.