South Korea is "tormenty" of Europeans in World Cups; see retrospective
South Korea reached an impressive number in the World Cup, with a 2-1 victory against Czechia. There are three victories in the last three games against teams from the Old Continent. Check out the repertoire:
In 2018, Korea fell into a group with two Europeans. They lost in the first round against Sweden, 1-0. However, the Koreans were the protagonists of one of the biggest upsets of that year's World Cup. In the last round, the Asians faced Germany, who were the current champions at the time, and won 2-0.
Both goals came in stoppage time. Kim Young-Gwon opened the scoring in the 49th minute. Two minutes later, Heung-min Son doubled the score and sealed the result and sealed Germany's elimination.
South Korea comeback against Czechia and debut with victory in the World Cup
2022 World Cup
Four years later, Korea found Portugal on their way in the group stage. The Europeans took the lead early in the match, with Ricardo Horta. Still in the first half, Kim Young-Gwon equalized.
To repeat the same goalscorers from 2018, Heung-min Son was the one who completed the comeback, in stoppage time of the second half.
Debut in the 2026 World Cup
Korea's debut in the 2026 World Cup happened to be against a European team, Czechia.
The first half was stopped, ending 0-0, without any major scares. However, the final 45 minutes gave a new look to the game at Estadio Akron, in Guadalajara. In the 10th minute, the Czech Republic opened the scoring with Ladislav Krejčí's header.
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
1 of 9
Hwang In-Beom celebrating his goal against Czechia, valid for the first round of the World Cup - Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
2 of 9
South Korea vs. Czechia bid for the World Cup - Alex Slitz/Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
3 of 9
Ladislav Krejcí, Czech defender, celebrating his goal against South Korea in a World Cup match - Molly Darlington/Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
4 of 9
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
-
Change imageChange image
5 out of 9
Duel between South Korea and Czechia, valid for the first round of the World Cup - Molly Darlington/Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
6 of 9
Confrontation between South Korea and Czechia, valid for the first round of the World Cup - Reproduction/X/@ceskarepre_cz
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
7 out of 9
Patrick Schick, Czechia's standout for the World Cup - Reproduction/X/@ceskarepre_cz
-
Change imageChange image
8 out of 9
Czech dressing room before the game against South Korea, valid for the World Cup - Reproduction/X/@ceskarepre_cz
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
9 of 9
Ladislav Krejcí, defender and captain of Czechia, warming up - Reproduction/X/@ceskarepre_cz
-
Change imageChange image
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
default view
full view
grid view
Korea did not show that they felt the goal and went on the attack. A few minutes after the goal conceded, Hwang In-Beom was called in, invaded the area and scored a great goal, after dodging the Czech defense, to tie the match.
The Czechs scored the second, with Soucek, but the referee signaled the midfielder was offside. At 35, Hyeon-gyu turned to the Koreans, after receiving a beautiful pass inside the area, and sealed Korea's victory.
How the 2026 World Cup format works: groups, phases and changes
Source: CNN