SOCCER: South Korea snatches 2-1 win over Czech Republic in World Cup opener

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — South Korea national football team produced a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Czech Republic national football team, 2-1, in their FIFA World Cup Group A opener on Thursday, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scoring the decisive goal in the 80th minute.

South Korea captain Son Heung-min squandered several clear opportunities in the first half as his side dominated possession but failed to convert. The Czechs, however, took the lead against the run of play in the 59th minute when Ladislav Krejčí rose to head home from a long throw-in, silencing the South Korean supporters.

The lead did not last long as South Korea responded swiftly. Hwang In-beom restored parity in the 67th minute with a composed finish, delicately lifting the ball over the goalkeeper after a well-placed assist inside the box.

Czech Republic national football team briefly thought they had regained the advantage in the 77th minute when Tomáš Souček headed in from a free kick, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review. Moments later, South Korea capitalized on the reprieve as Hwang turned provider, setting up Oh Hyeon-gyu for a close-range finish that sealed all three points.

Co-hosts Mexico national football team currently top Group A after a 2-0 victory over South Africa national football team. South Korea will next face Mexico in Guadalajara on Thursday, while the Czech Republic meet South Africa in Atlanta in their second group match. -Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters