South Korea opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Group E at Guadalajara on Thursday, coming from behind to win after substiute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the decider. According to the match report,the Koreans trailed to Ladislav Krejci's 59th-minute header before Hwang In-beom equalised seven minutes later and then set up Oh's winner. The Czechs had a Thomas Soucek header ruled out for offside, ending their first World Cup appearance in 20 years in defeat.

Hwang In-beom's double act overshadows Son Heung-min's off-day

As the report details, South Korea captain Son Heung-min had five first-half chances but failed to convert any, leaving him two goals shy of the national team's all-time scoring record. His replacement Oh Hyeon-gyu, who came on for the misfiring star, scored the winner after Hwang In-beom turned from equaliser to provider. Hwang's curling right-footed strike from Lee Kang-in's through ball was the highlight of the match, showcasing the technical quality South Korea displayed against the Czechs' more direct approach.

Czech Republic's 20-year World Cup drought ends with a set-piece controversy

The Czechs, playing on the world stage for the first time in two decades, took the lead through a classic set-piece: Vladimir Coufal's long throw found Krejci for a headed finish. The same weapon nearly gave them a second when Soucek nodded in a free kick, but the offside flag denied them. According to the report, the decision stood,and the European side left Guadalajara empty-handed. The contrast in styles — Czech brute strength versus Korean technical passing — defined the game.

Empty seats and local support: Guadalajara's 44,985 create a home advantage

The match report notes noticeable areas of empty seats in the stadium, yet the vast majority of the 44,985 in attendance firmly backed South Korea.. The sizeable local Mexican support, perhaps drawn by the underdog narrative or the festive atmosphere, gave the Koreans a near-home crowd. This dynamic could be crucial when South Korea face Mexico on June 18 in what is likely to be a hostile environment for the Asian side.

What remains unclear: Son's form and the Czechs' disallowed goal

Two unanswered questions emerge from the report. first, is Son Heung-min's goal drought a temporary blip or a deeper concern for a team that relies on his finishiing? The source does not offer any player or coach reaction on his performance. Second, the offside decision on Soucek's header may have been tight; without VAR angle details in the report, the controversy could linger as the tournament progresses. The report also leaves out any comment from the Czech camp on the call.