South Korea striker Oh Hyun-kyu scores winning goal in World Cup upset over Czech Republic

In the opening Group A match of the 2026 North American World Cup at the Guadalajara stadium in Mexico, South Korea defeated the Czech Republic 2‑1. Forward Oh Hyun-kyu, who entered the game for Son Heung‑min, netted the decisive late goal after 35 minutes of the second half, securing the comeback win.

Oh, who was battling a fever that rose to 38 °C, said after the match, “It feels like an indescribable emotion… I was very unwell before the game, but the staff and doctors took great care of me, allowing me to play and score.” The Korean Football Association highlighted his disciplined attitude, sharing video of Oh staying on the pitch after training to tidy up equipment and pick up trash, captioned “the latest to finish training, Oh Hyun‑kyu.”

His parents run a mud‑fish soup (chu‑teo‑tang) restaurant, a dish Oh has long credited for his stamina, even recalling that as a child he ate chu‑teo‑tang instead of baby food. The story of his soup‑fuelled performance has drawn public interest alongside praise for his work ethic.