▲ The 2026 North and Central America World Cup Group A opening match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on the 11th (local time).
The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, finished the first half of their opening match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup group stage without a goal.
South Korea ended the first half in a 0-0 stalemate against the Czech Republic in the Group A opener held at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, today (June 12).
South Korea maintained control throughout the first half, consistently pressuring the Czech goal.
The team showed an aggressive stance, leading in total shots 7 to 2 and shots on target 1 to 0.
Captain Son Heung-min led the attack for Hong Myung-bo’s side, which deployed a three-back formation that has been refined over the past year.
Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kang-in were positioned on the left and right of the attacking midfield, while Hwang In-beom and Paik Seung-ho anchored the center.
Lee Tae-seok and Seol Young-woo started as wing-backs, and the three-back defensive line consisted of Lee Ki-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Han-beom from left to right.
Kim Seung-gyu wore the goalkeeper gloves.
The Czech Republic also fielded their elite squad.
Key striker Patrik Schick led the front line, with defender Ladislav Krejčí also in the starting lineup.
South Korea recorded its first shot in the 12th minute of the first half.
Son Heung-min received a cutback pass from Lee Jae-sung, but his shot was deflected by a defender.
In the ensuing cross situation, Son’s header sailed over the goal.
In the 14th minute, Lee Kang-in fired a surprise mid-range shot, but the opposing goalkeeper dove to parry it away.
Between the 21st and 22nd minutes, the Czech Republic earned consecutive corner kicks—their specialty—in an attempt to score the opening goal, but the South Korean defense calmly cleared the danger.
Later, in the 38th and 39th minutes, Son Heung-min attempted back-to-back shots with his right and left feet from near the penalty arc, but both missed the target.
In stoppage time of the first half, Son Heung-min received another cutback pass from Lee Tae-seok and managed to get a shot off while falling in front of the goal, but it narrowly missed.
With both teams focusing on defense, the overall tempo of the match remained somewhat slow.
This tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 participating nations, allowing third-place teams in the group stage to advance to the knockout round.
South Korea, placed in Group A alongside Mexico and South Africa, aims to finish as high as possible in the group stage to secure a favorable bracket for the Round of 32.
In the opening match between Mexico and South Africa held earlier, host nation Mexico secured a 2-0 victory amidst the variable of three players being sent off.
Meanwhile, contrary to weather forecasts predicting rain, the skies over Guadalajara Stadium have cleared.
In the VIP section, Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu, who has announced his intention to resign after this tournament, was seen watching the match alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.