"Latereio": Czechia's weapon to score the first goal in the World Cup
The first goal scored by Czechia in the 2026 World Cup, early this Friday (12), against South Korea, came from one of the European team's main weapons: the aerial ball.
More than that, the origin of the goal was the famous "latereio", a strong lateral taken directly into the area by Vladimír Coufal, found the forehead of captain Ladislav Krejčí, who finished powerfully towards the goal.
The move, previously seen as a less flashy alternative for less creative teams, has been gaining momentum in European football, especially in the Premier League, thanks to the success of Brentford, the team of Brazilian striker Igor Thiago.
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Hwang In-Beom celebrating his goal against Czechia, valid for the first round of the World Cup - Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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South Korea vs. Czechia bid for the World Cup - Alex Slitz/Getty Images
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Ladislav Krejcí, Czech defender, celebrating his goal against South Korea in a World Cup match - Molly Darlington/Getty Images
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Krejci rises to head after Coufal's "later" and opens the scoring for Czechia against South Korea in the World Cup - Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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Duel between South Korea and Czechia, valid for the first round of the World Cup - Molly Darlington/Getty Images
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Confrontation between South Korea and Czechia, valid for the first round of the World Cup - Reproduction/X/@ceskarepre_cz
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Patrick Schick, Czechia's standout for the World Cup - Reproduction/X/@ceskarepre_cz
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Czech dressing room before the game against South Korea, valid for the World Cup - Reproduction/X/@ceskarepre_cz
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Ladislav Krejcí, defender and captain of Czechia, warming up - Reproduction/X/@ceskarepre_cz
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Play helped Palmeiras become Brazilian champion
In Brazil, the "latereio" became well known during the period in which coach Cuca commanded Palmeiras. Marcos Rocha's lateral technique yielded important goals in the 2016 Brasileirão title campaign.
The advantage, however, was short-lived. South Korea tied the match minutes later, with a goal from Hwang In-beom - follow the game in REAL TIME.
Czechia and South Korea are dueling for group A, which has Mexico as the leader, after beating South Africa 2-0 in the opening of the World Cup, at the Azteca Stadium.
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Source: CNN