South Korea
Czech RepublicSouth Korea dominated but fell behind against the run of play, then responded with two goals in thirteen second-half minutes — Hwang levelling almost immediately and Oh prodding home the winner — a pattern of Czech resilience eventually bending under relentless Korean athleticism and speed. The gap in pace between the two sides proved decisive in the final quarter, with Korea's legs and combinations simply too much for a Czech side that had spent enormous defensive energy to take their lead.
South Korea
South Korea were the dominant side throughout, commanding 62% possession and creating a string of chances, though Son Heung-min — five of six shots off target — kept Korean hearts in mouths before the comeback arrived. The decisive contributions came from Kang-In Lee's precise playmaking, In-Beom Hwang's composed finish in the 67th minute, and Oh Hyeon-gyu's cool turn to slot home the winner in the 80th minute, the latter apparently playing through a 38-degree fever.
Czech Republic
The Czechs were disciplined and organised, defending with genuine purpose and punishing Korea from a set piece when Ladislav Krejci headed home Vladimir Coufal's long throw in the 59th minute — a sucker-punch that felt genuinely dangerous against the run of play. Tomas Soucek had a goal ruled out for offside, the moments of threat were real if infrequent, and coach Miroslav Koubek's post-match admission that the better team probably won felt like an honest reckoning.