Son Heung-min dominates the Czech Republic defense, South Korea lurks for goals at the 2026 World Cup.
Although the first half ended in a 0-0 draw, Son Heung-min's performance rattled the Czech Republic defense, while Patrik Schick was completely isolated on the pitch.
The opening match of Group A at the 2026 World Cup between South Korea and the Czech Republic ended the first half goalless. However, the 0-0 scoreline didn't fully reflect the drama, as the Asian representatives, led by captain Son Heung-min, completely dominated their European opponents.
Son Heung-min: A whirlwind that wreaks havoc on the defense.
Contrary to predictions of a balanced match, Son Heung-min proved the class of a star who once dominated the Premier League. According to statistics, the 32-year-old striker had 14 touches and unleashed 4 shots in the first 45 minutes alone.
Sky Sports pundit Nick Wright commented: "Son has a lot of possession in the opponent's half. His influence on South Korea's game is undeniable." Notably, Adam Bate from the same channel warned about Son's ability to finish with both feet, saying that leaving space for the striker is extremely risky.
The disappointment named Patrik Schick
On the opposite side of the pitch, Czech Republic star Patrik Schick had a forgettable first half. Despite his impressive record of 25 goals in 53 international matches, Schick was completely isolated due to a lack of cohesion in the midfield.
"Schick only had a mere six touches of the ball, the lowest number for any player on the pitch," Nick Wright further analyzed. The neutralization of their main attacking threat meant that coach Miroslav Koubek's team created almost no incisive attacking moves.
The clearest chance of the half belonged to South Korea in the final minutes, when Son Heung-min missed a close-range tap-in. If they want to get any points in their opening match, the Czech Republic must improve their defensive system and find a way to reconnect with Schick in the second half. Meanwhile, Son is still diligently searching for his 58th goal to set a new milestone for his international career.
