The 42

South Korea 2

Czechia 1

SUBSTITUTE OH HYEON-Gu gave South Korea a winning start to the World Cup as they came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1.

Oh struck 11 minutes from time after Hwang In-Beom’s moment of magic had cancelled out Czech captain Ladislav Krejci’s header in Guadalajara.

South Korea made the brighter start, Son Heung-Min firing over with Lee Han-Beom heading over the bar before Paris St Germain’s Lee Kang-In forced a save from Matej Kovar with an effort from outside the box.

The Czechs were playing in their first World Cup since 2006, after defeating Ireland and then Denmark in penalty shootouts to win their play-offs in March.

But they struggled to carve out any chances and the Koreans ended the first half with a flurry of opportunities.

Son again fired over and curled a shot wide of Kovar’s post before the former Tottenham striker was unable to meet a return cross into the box in added time.

Hwang and Lee Jae-Sung were denied by Kovar to start the second half, the goalkeeper also denying Son before the Czechs went ahead with their first real chance – Krejci, who spent last season on loan at Wolves, meeting Vladimir Coufal’s long throw unmarked.

🇰🇷 0-1 🇨🇿

Against the run of play Ladislav Krejci opens the scoring with a thunderous header.

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The lead lasted just eight minutes, Hwang finally converting a Korean chance as his check back sent Kovar and Robin Hranac past the ball and he was able to find the empty net.

🇰🇷 1-1 🇨🇿

Hwang Inbeom's chip gives South Korea the goal they've been looking for.

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West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek had a headed effort ruled out for a clear offside and within three minutes, Oh turned in Hwang’s low cross via Kovar’s hand, although Korea needed a pair of fine saves by Kim Seung-Gyu to wrap up all three points.

🇰🇷 2-1 🇨🇿

Some lovely Korean plays sets Oh Hyeongyu up to finish beautifully and give South Korea the lead.

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Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek rued “some mistakes” but admitted “the better team probably won”.

“We played very well, it could have been a draw and we could have won as well,” said Koubek, whose side face South Africa in their second group match on Thursday in Atlanta.

South Korea play Mexico in Guadalajara on the same day.

*****

Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.