MEXICO CITY, June 12 —  South Korea came back from a ‌goal down to snatch a thrilling 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their World ‌Cup Group A opener today, substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu grabbing the winner in the 80th minute.

Korea captain Son Heung-Min wasted a number of decent chances before his Czech counterpart Ladislav Krejci broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 59th minute by heading home from a ‌long throw-in, but the lead was ⁠short-lived as Hwang In-Beom ⁠kept his cool to ⁠dink the equaliser over the ⁠keeper ⁠eight minutes later.

Tomas Soucek thought he had put the Czechs back in front with ⁠a header from a free kick in the 77th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside, and less than three minutes later the Koreans went ⁠ahead as Hwang turned provider, pulling the ball back for Oh to fire ⁠home from close range.

Co-hosts Mexico top the group ⁠after ⁠their 2-0 win over South Africa and they will meet the South Koreans in Guadalajara ‌next Thursday, while the Czechs take on South Africa in Atlanta. — Reuters