"80% Chance of Reaching the Round of 32!" Hong Myung-bo's Team Breaks a 16-Year Jinx, All but Secures a Spot in the Knockout Stage [2026 FIFA World Cup]

[Financial News] The final whistle that echoed through the night sky over Guadalajara was more than just the signal of one victory. It was South Korean football's boarding pass to the promised land of the Round of 32. The Taegeuk Warriors, who overturned the match after conceding first, are now beating with a stronger pulse than ever.
The South Korea national football team, led by Hong Myung-bo, defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in the opening match of Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Akron in Mexico on the 12th local time.
The match unfolded like a nerve-racking drama. South Korea controlled the game throughout but could not finish its chances, then suffered a crushing blow from Ladislav Krejčí in the 14th minute of the second half and was pushed to the edge of disaster. But South Korea had its midfield commander Hwang In-beom and super sub Oh Hyeon-gyu. Hwang equalized in the 22nd minute of the second half, then set up Oh's stunning winner in the 35th minute to complete the comeback. Kim Seung-gyu's brilliant saves in the closing stages, as he repelled wave after wave of Czech attacks, put the perfect finishing touch on the turnaround.

This victory wrote a much bigger chapter than three points alone. Following the 2-1 comeback win over Portugal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, South Korea has now recorded back-to-back comeback victories on the World Cup stage. More importantly, it marked the first opening-match win in 16 years, since the 2-0 victory over Greece at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
History shows a reassuring pattern. In 2002, 2006, and 2010, when South Korea won its first World Cup match against Poland, Togo, and Greece, it advanced from the group stage twice, reaching the semifinals in 2002 and the Round of 16 in 2010.

With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, even third place in the group now offers a path to the Round of 32. By beating the Czech Republic, the toughest opponent in the opening match, Hong Myung-bo's team has pushed its chances of advancing to the Round of 32 to more than 80%, even under conservative estimates.
The road ahead also looks favorable. A draw or better against Mexico in the second match would make finishing first in the group highly likely.
Even if South Korea stumbles against Mexico, there is no need for concern. The final group-stage opponent, the Republic of South Africa, is widely regarded as the weakest team in Group A. Beating South Africa would all but guarantee direct qualification to the Round of 32.
Hong Myung-bo's team has shaken off 16 years of frustration with a thrilling comeback win. After making the perfect start, the South Korea national team now has only the wide-open path to the Round of 32 ahead of it.
The Taegeuk Warriors have already begun their march toward the quarterfinals on foreign soil for the first time in history.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter