SOUTH KOREA RALLY TO BEAT CZECHIA 2-1 ON WORLD CUP OPENING DAY

Second-half goals by Oh Hyeon-gyu and Hwang In-beom steered South Korea to a come-from-behind win over Czechia in a Group A encounter.

Goals from Oh Hyeon-gyu, left, and Hwang In-beom guided South Korea to a 2-1 comeback win over Czechia in the second match of the World Cup 2026 opening day [Matias Delacroix/AP

Hwang In-beom scored a goal and set up another as South Korea rallied to defeat Czechia 2-1 in the second match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday night in Zapopan, Mexico.

After a lacklustre first half in which both teams were jeered as they left the field, Czechia took the lead in the 59th minute on a header by captain Ladislav Krejci after a long throw-in into the penalty area.

Second-half goals by Oh Hyeon-gyu and Hwang In-beom steered South Korea to a come-from-behind win over Czechia in a Group A encounter.

South Korea equalised in the 67th minute, when Hwang scored after faking a shot with a nifty move to clear two Czech players. He then made the cross from the right flank for Oh Hyeon-gyu’s decisive strike in the 80th minute in a match played in front of hundreds of empty seats at Guadalajara Stadium.

Led by star forward Son Heung-min, South Korea controlled possession and outshot the Czechs, who were making their first World Cup appearance since 2006.

Oh Hyeon-gyu scored a goal in the 80th minute to seal a late comeback victory for South Korea [Daniel Becerril/Reuters]

The South Koreans, ranked 25th by FIFA, had most of the significant scoring chances against the 38th-ranked Czechs but failed to capitalise early.

The announced attendance was 44,985 at the 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium. Sections in the middle of the stands had many unoccupied seats, and other empty seats were scattered across the stadium.

Earlier on Thursday, Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa, as the biggest edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

With three points each, Mexico sit on top of Group A, with South Korea second on goal difference. Czechia are third, and South Africa sit at the bottom. In the next round of Group A matches on June 18, Mexico face South Korea in Zapopan, while Czechia play South Africa in Atlanta.

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, proceed to the knockouts, which begin with the round of 32.

- Al Jazeera Staff and The Associated Press 

SON HEUNG-MIN IS ON A STREAK | 8-GOALS IN 8 GAMES 😲

 

FROM SEOUL TO SOCAL | SON HEUNG-MIN JOINS LAFC IN A LEAGUE-RECORD DEAL | MLS

 

SON HEUNG-MIN 'HERE TO WIN' AFTER JOINING LAFC FOR RECORD TRANSFER FEE

Son Heung-min holds an LAFC jersey during his introductory news conference with the club in Los Angeles on Wednesday. | IMAGN IMAGES / VIA REUTERS

LOS ANGELES – South Korean star Son Heung-min said he was "here to win" as Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC welcomed the arrival of the "global icon" from Tottenham on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old will reportedly cost an MLS-record $26 million transfer fee, according to ESPN and The Athletic, after a decade in the Premier League where he became a household name.

"I'm here to win, and I will perform," he said at an introductory news conference at BMO Stadium that was packed with U.S. and South Korean media, fans and luminaries, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

He was already itching to get to work with his new teammates after watching them beat Mexican club Tigres UANL 2-1 in a Leagues Cup match on Tuesday night amid rabid support from fans energized by rumors of his signing.

"It was just, like, insane," he said. "I just wanted to run onto the pitch and show my performance."

On Saturday in his homeland, an emotional Son announced that he would be leaving Spurs, just months after ending the club's 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League as captain.

He is fifth on Tottenham's all-time list with 173 goals in 454 appearances.

"Sonny is a global icon and one of the most dynamic and accomplished players in world football," said John Thorrington, LAFC's co-president and general manager.

"We are proud that he has chosen Los Angeles for the next chapter of his extraordinary career."

Son said it was Thorrington who sold him on LAFC.

"If I'm honest, it was not my first choice," he said. "But first call, when I talked to John after the season finished, he just changed my mind. He changed my heart. He changed my brain. He showed me the destination where I should be."

In addition to Son's prowess on the pitch, LAFC can also expect him to be a massive draw among Los Angeles' large community of South Koreans and Korean-Americans.

His imminent arrival drew crowds to Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday with fans waving South Korean flags and messages of support.

"He means a lot to me, just what he's been able to achieve," said Justin Huh, a 26-year-old Korean-American software developer who lives in LA's bustling Koreatown.

"Now that someone who is Korean like me is here, and he's going to have a cultural impact, I just want to be part of that wave," added Huh, who has already bought tickets to watch Son.

Huh thinks Son can have the same kind of impact that the Dodgers' Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has had in baseball.

Josh Lee, co-president of the Tigers Supporters Group, supporters group for LAFC based in Koreatown, said Son is a player for all fans to cherish.

"Son's arrival here is not only big for Korean people," Lee said. "Koreatown is for everyone, so Son is for everyone.

"He's one of the important players in the world," Lee continued, adding that the group's social media following was increasing and membership was rising already.

Son will replace French striker Olivier Giroud, who was sold to Lille in July, and will share a dressing room with French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, his former teammate at Tottenham.

"He's back to my captain, so I have to say something nice about him because otherwise in the locker room he's gonna kill me," Son quipped of Lloris, adding that he was delighted to be reuniting with a teammate he called an amazing player and an amazing human being.

He said speaking with Lloris also helped him make up his mind about the move, which coincidentally will allow him to familiarize himself with life in the United States as South Korea prepares to compete in the 2026 World Cup hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Son looked relaxed as he met the press wearing understated grey and black, and after taking questions posed for pictures with his new black and gold number seven LAFC jersey.

Los Angeles is currently sixth in the MLS Western Conference standings, 10 points behind leaders San Diego but with three games in hand.

- AFP-JIJI

SON HEUNG- MIN LIFTS 1ST TROPHY AS TOTTENHAM BEAT MAN UNITED FOR EUROPA LEAGUE TITLE

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- For the first time in his 15-year European career, Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean captain Son Heung-min can finally call himself a champion.

Tottenham defeated fellow Premier League side Manchester United 1-0 in the final of the UEFA Europa League at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, on Wednesday (local time). Brennan Johnson scored the match's only goal in the 42nd minute and Spurs held on tenaciously for their first trophy in 17 years.

Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur (L) battles Leny Yoro of Manchester United for the ball during the UEFA Europa League final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, on May 21, 2025, in this Associated Press photo. (Yonhap)

Son, who replaced Richarlison in the 67th minute, lifted the first trophy of his club career, which began in 2010 with Hamburger SV in Germany.

Son joined Spurs in 2015. He had played and lost in two major finals with the North London club -- at the 2019 UEFA Champions League and the 2021 English Football League (EFL) Cup. The team's most recent trophy before this week had come at the 2008 EFL Cup.

Johnson put Spurs on the board late in the first half when his shot, set up by a Pape Sarr cross, deflected off defender Luke Shaw on its way into the net.

Man United kept pushing for the equalizer that never came, as Spurs successfully locked things down in their own end in the second half.

Spurs dodged a couple of bullets. Defender Micky van de Ven cleared the ball heading into the gaping net with a dramatic volley above the goal line in the 68th minute. In the dying seconds, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made a match-saving stop on a header by Shaw.

Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur (R) is challenged by Patrick Dorgu of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, on May 21, 2025, in this Associated Press photo. (Yonhap)

- Yoo Jee-ho

SON HEUNG-MIN: NO TOTTENHAM CONTRACT TALKS DESPITE 2025 EXPIRY

Son Heung-min was speaking at a news conference on Wednesday. Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images

Son Heung-Min has said talks are yet to take place with Tottenham over a new contract and insisted he is only focused on winning his first trophy with the club.

The 32-year-old's deal expires at the end of the season, although a source has confirmed to ESPN that Spurs have an option to extend his existing agreement by an extra year to 2026.

Son stepped up to captain the side under Ange Postecoglou as Hugo Lloris fell out of favour and Harry Kane left to join Bayern Munich, but the South Korea international suggested there had been no progress over a fresh deal when speaking on Wednesday at a press conference ahead of Tottenham's UEFA Europa League opener against FK Qarabag.

"We haven't talked about anything yet," Son, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, said.

"It is very clear from me. I am very focused on this season. At this age, every second is like a goal, especially this season, we are in a lot of competitions, it feels like I am taking even more care about this.

"As I say, I am fully focused on this year and just want to win something that everybody at the club - the players, all around - deserves. That's what I'm working for. In the future you never know what will happen, but I will give everything for this club because it's been almost 10 years and I give everything. I still have a contract with the club which is the very important thing and I just want to give everything until my contract [expires]."

Son, who is yet to win any silverware with the club given Spurs' last trophy came in 2008, also weighed in on the debate around player welfare with the expanded Europa League format just one of several altered competitions placing greater demands on footballers.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson are among those to speak out against the volume of games elite players are now being asked to play, and Son said: "A lot of players came out and said the right things and I think it was very important. There are definitely a lot of games. As a football fan, you want to see quality of games, not as many games as possible. You don't want to see players struggling with injuries.

"There are a lot of games, a lot of travelling. We have to look after ourselves, which is sometimes very hard. Sometimes, mentally and physically you are not ready and then you go onto the pitch, the risk of injury is massive.

"We are not robots so I think we have to look after that, reduce the [number of] games definitely and playing a better quality of games should be the aim."

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

FIRST WITH HIS WORD AND NOW HIS FEET, SON HEUNG-MIN CONTINUES TO BAIL HONG MYUNG-BO OUT

Son Heung-Min came up with a crucial goal on Tuesday to help South Korea claim a 3-1 win over Oman -- their first in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. HAITHAM AL-SHUKAIRI/AFP via Getty Images

 In Son Heung-Min, South Korea have for some time now boasted a genuine world-class talent capable of winning matches off his own boot.

He has done it several times before, dragging the Taegeuk Warriors out of what appeared unsalvageable situations.

And on Tuesday, he came to the rescue once again -- not just for his team but for his under-fire national coach Hong Myung-Bo.

Just five days ago, South Korea had began their third round campaign of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in disappointing fashion as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Palestine.

In Son Heung-Min, South Korea have for some time now boasted a genuine world-class talent capable of winning matches off his own boot.

He has done it several times before, dragging the Taegeuk Warriors out of what appeared unsalvageable situations.

And on Tuesday, he came to the rescue once again -- not just for his team but for his under-fire national coach Hong Myung-Bo.

In the immediate aftermath of that result, the South Korean fans turned on Hong -- who already was not everyone's cup of tea with his integrity being called into question when he accepted the job back in July, abruptly abandoning Ulsan HD in the middle of the season despite repeatedly giving assurances over his commitment and having turned down previous advances from the Korea Football Association.

The jeers that Hong received last week immediately saw Son, among others including fellow stars Kim Min-Jae and Lee Kang-In, leap to Hong's defence and plead with the supporters for their support.

But for much of Tuesday's visit to Oman, it looked like South Korea were going to be denied again. One can only imagine how much lower the public perception of Hong would have fallen had his team opened their campaign without a win from two matches.

With the scores tied at 1-1 after Hwang Hee-Chan's powerful 10th-minute opener was cancelled out just before the break by a Jung Seung-Hyun own-goal, up stepped Son.

Using his strength and smarts to ease Ghanim Al-Habashi out of the way and guide the ball into his own path in one solitary movement, Son would steady on the edge of the area before lashing a trademark piledriver -- on his non-preferred left foot -- that unerringly sailed past Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini and bent perfectly inside the far post just at the final moment.

Deep into injury-time, with Oman chasing an equaliser, the South Koreans would add a third with Son teeing up Joo Min-Kyu for his second international goal -- with the final 3-1 scoreline arguably papering over the cracks of what was once again a testing outing.

Again, a moment of inspiration from Son would prove the difference.

While it was with his calming words on Thursday, this time it was his feet with which Son once more bailed Hong out.

It must be noted on how remarkable Hong's fall from grace has been, given the legendary status he enjoyed as a player.

Just two months into the job, South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo is already under pressure with his appointment back in July proving to be an unpopular one among supporters. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images

Still his nation's joint most-capped player with 136 international appearances and captain of the famous team that finished fourth at the 2002 World Cup, Hong looked destined to forever be held in high esteem among South Korean football fans.

Even if Hong's previous spell in charge of the Taegeuk Warriors was a disappointing one, circumstances hardly favoured him as he was parachuted into the role with the team in disarray with his first major assignment the 2014 World Cup.

Hong would stoically resign after South Korea's group-stage elimination even when he was asked to stay on by the KFA.

Improvement will be expected as soon as the next international window in October, where South Korea will once again be favourites in Group B meetings with Jordan and Iraq -- and it must be remembered that it was the former who beat them in the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup at the start of the year that led to Klinsmann's dismissal.

For a side that boasts as much quality as they do, South Korea need to start asserting their dominance -- akin to the way that neighbours Japan have racked up back-to-back wins in Group C over China and Bahrain, scoring 12 goals in the process while conceding none.

It is imperative they do so in order for the negative sentiment surrounding Hong to subside, which will then allow him a proper go at the job this second time around.

For now, though, he has Son to thank for the fact that he is not already under even more pressure.

Just like it was back then, it does seem that some of the discontent directed at him should at least be diverted to the association -- for he was always in a difficult position from the time they set their sights on him as the successor to Jürgen Klinsmann and approached him repeatedly.

- Gabriel Tan 

UNHERALDED JOO MIN-KYU'S JOURNEY OF PERSEVERANCE TO SOUTH KOREA OPPORTUNITY

At the age of 33, Ulsan HD striker Joo Min-Kyu is set to finally get his chance to show what he can offer South Korea -- after being called up for their upcoming back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Thailand. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

 

 As South Korea look to bounce back from a semifinal exit at the AFC Asian Cup back in January when they resume their qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup over the coming week, one man looks set to finally get his long-awaited chance at international level.

Less than a month before he turns 34, Joo Min-Kyu is in line to win his first cap after being called up for the Taegeuk Warriors' upcoming back-to-back ties with Thailand in the second round of Asian qualifiers for the next World Cup.

Joo's story is one of perseverance and resilience but, even if his career has been late-blooming, it is also peculiar that it has taken this long for him to finally get his opportunity.

Having had to work his way up from the second tier of South Korean football, initially even as a reserve squad member, Joo was at one point earning a monthly wage of less than one million won (US$746) -- a far lower salary than what a fresh graduate would be paid in their first job in the country.

But through sheer hard work that is often personified by the physical approach to his game, he first showed his penchant for scoring in spells with Seoul E-Land and while performing his national service obligations with Sangju Sangmu (now Gimcheon Sangmu).

Then, it was after moving to Jeju United where he really emerged as one of the most-prolific marksmen in K League 1.

Despite playing for relatively unfancied Jeju, Joo bagged 22 goals in 2021 to become the competition's first local top scorer in five years.

He followed up with an equally-healthy haul of 17 goals the following season but was pipped to a second consecutive accolade due to Cho Gue-Sung notching the same tally from less games.

Earning a move to K League 1 giants Ulsan HD at the start of 2023, Joo would again hit the back of the net 17 times to pick up a second Golden Boot award.

With 56 goals from 107 league games to his name over the past three years, it would seem logical that the Cheongju native would have at least earned international recognition in that time -- even if it might have been understandable that there would be others ahead of him in the pecking order.

Hwang Ui-Jo has, after all, been plying his trade in Europe for several years now, while Cho always seemed a favourite of former coach Paulo Bento.

Still, Joo's opportunity never came under Bento and, even after the Portuguese was replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann, he had to continue biding his time.

Even back in December, having been omitted from Klinsmann's Asian Cup squad that boasted just two out-and-out striking options, Joo refused to throw in the towel.

"I am 33, but I still have not given up (on) my dream of playing for the national team," he said, in an interview with Korea JoongAng Daily.

Joo's chances when Klinsmann was at the helm were not helped by the fact that the German's apparent disinterest in the domestic league, which was one of the main criticisms that led to the latter's dismissal after their failure to win the Asian Cup, when they had been one of the heavy favourites.

With Hwang Sun-Hong replacing Klinsmann in a caretaker capacity until a permanent successor is found by the Korea Football Association, Joo's opportunity looks to have finally arrived.

And despite only being in the role temporarily for the moment, there should not be any doubt that Hwang -- a former South Korea international himself -- knows what he is doing especially when it comes to his attacking options, having racked up 50 goals from 103 caps to be his country's second-highest scorer only behind the legendary Cha Bum-Kun.

Joo may still have to bide his time.

Unless Hwang deviates from the system that South Korea have employed for a while now under both Bento and Klinsmann, Cho -- who has admittedly thrived since moving to Europe with Denmark's Midtjylland -- should be the first choice for the lone striker role with the dynamic and creative trio of Son Heung-Min, Lee Kang-In and Lee Jae-Sung operating in behind.

Yet, at the very least, Joo's opportunity has finally arrived.

And based on the perseverance and resilience that has epitomised the travails of his career, it seems only natural that Joo will do whatever he needs to over the coming days to soon earn his place on the international stage -- wearing the colours of his nation.

- Gabriel Tan 

SON, KINSMANN EMBRACE SOUTH KOREA'S 'ZOMBIE FOOTBALL' TAG

Son Heung-Min and coach Jurgen Klinsmann embrace after another dramatic South Korea win at the Asian Cup. Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images

 After scoring an injury-time equaliser before triumphing in extra time of their Asian Cup quarterfinal against Australia, South Korea's play has been dubbed "zombie football" by their fans, a team that refuses to die.

It's a moniker coach Jurgen Klinsmann is happy with, even if he'd much rather his side win their next game inside 90 minutes.

"Any nickname is fine with me!" Klinsmann laughed post-game.

Down 1-0 thanks to Craig Goodwin's first-half volley on Friday evening, the Taegeuk Warriors' furious attempts to engineer a comeback eventually saw Son Heung-Min brought down by Lewis Miller with just seconds remaining at the Al Janoub stadium, opening the door for Hwang Hee-Chan to equalise from the spot in the 96th minute.

Miller then levelled Hwang on the edge of the area in extra time and Son curled a free kick beyond Maty Ryan in the Socceroos' net in the 104th minute to seal a comeback win and a semifinal showdown with Jordan next Tuesday.

It marked the fourth straight game in Doha that Korea had found the net after the expiration of the 90 minutes, hence their now, zombie-fied nickname as they seek to end a 64-year Asian Cup drought.

As for how his side can find it in themselves to continue to pull themselves back from the brink, as well as why they keep finding themselves in a position where they need to?

SOUTH KOREA HAVE SON, BUT IS KLINSMANN THE RIGHT COACH?

South Korea are relying on Son Heung-Min and Jurgen Klinsmann to end the nation's 64-year trophy drought. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images

South Korea rank among Asia's best sides, yet they last won the AFC Asian Cup in 1960; it's a fact that feels as if it must be wrong, incongruous as it is with their global footballing standing. Yet as former Germany and United States coach Jürgen Klinsmann prepares to lead the Taeguk Warriors into their latest attempt to win the trophyhe is working not only against the weight of history, but also significant domestic skepticism.

South Korea are one of the few teams competing at January's Asian Cup that most global observers will consider themselves somewhat familiar with. They have gone to every World Cup since 1986, finishing fourth as co-hosts in 2002 and progressing to the knockout phase twice since then. In 2022, they were part of a final matchday in Group H so gripping that it likely played a role in FIFA abandoning plans for three-team groups at the expanded 2026 tournament. South Korea's under-23 side, meanwhile, were bronze medalists at the 2012 Olympics, subsequently advancing to the quarterfinals in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, and won the past three Asian Games titles. The K1 League is one of Asia's strongest, and 12 AFC Champions League titles are more than those won any other nation.

Nevertheless, South Korea's Asian Cup drought stands at 64 years and counting.

SON HEUNG-MIN | PLAYER OF THE MONTH | SEPTEMBER

 

SON HEUNG-MIN ON CONTE'S DEPARTURE

 

FA: INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY FOR FANS RACIST CHANTS TOWARDS SON HEUNG-MIN BY MILLWALL SUPPORTERS

Football Association will investigate the racist behaviour by Millwal fans after they got thrashed 6-0 by Tottenham Hotspur...

EPL: JURGEN KLOPP AND SON HEUNG-MIN HAVE WON SEPTEMBER PREMIERSHIP AWARDS

Jurgen Klopp and South Korean Son Heung-min have won premiership awards for the month of September.

It is the 1st time both have a won that award.