South Korea edge Czechia 2-1 as Hong Myung-Bo benches Son Heung-Min
Manager opts for team cohesion over star power as substitute Oh Hyeon-Gyu secures victory in expanded World Cup format.
South Korea secured a pivotal 2-1 victory over Czechia in their 2026 World Cup group stage match in Guadalajara, overcoming an early deficit to maintain their qualification hopes. The result underscores a tactical recalibration by manager Hong Myung-Bo, who substituted captain Son Heung-Min before the 70th minute, prioritising collective cohesion over reliance on the team’s talisman.
Czechia took an early lead against the run of play when defender Ladislav Krejci powered a header past goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. Despite the setback, South Korea maintained pressure throughout the first half, though Son Heung-Min struggled to convert his opportunities. The 33-year-old captain took six shots during the match, with only one finding the target, continuing a scoring drought in the World Cup that dates back to 2018.
The turning point arrived after Hong Myung-Bo removed Son from the pitch. Substitute Oh Hyeon-Gyu, a winger for Besiktas, latched onto a pass from Hwang In-Beom to score the go-ahead goal. The intervention appeared to revitalise the South Korean attack, allowing the team to control the tempo and prevent Czechia from creating significant chances in the second half.
Hong Myung-Bo defended the decision to bench his captain, stating, "Son is a very stable player and I have no worries about him." The manager cited the availability of other attacking options, such as Hwang Hee-Chan and Lee Kang-In, as key factors in the substitution. The move was widely interpreted as a willingness to make necessary changes to secure a win, a trait essential for a squad aiming to progress beyond the group stage.
South Korea, considered a dark horse in the expanded 48-team tournament, now faces tournament co-hosts Mexico in their next fixture. With three points and an adequate goal difference potentially sufficient to reach the round of 32, the team’s preparation, including a high-altitude training camp in Utah, appears to be yielding dividends in fitness and tactical discipline.
