South Korea's national soccer team transformed Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul into a vibrant festival after securing a thrilling comeback victory against the Czech Republic.
On June 12, a large crowd gathered at Gwanghwamun Square to cheer for the national team during the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup match against the Czech Republic.
The atmosphere, which had initially dampened after conceding an early goal, quickly ignited when Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer. Fans jumped to their feet, cheering and embracing one another in celebration.
The square erupted in cheers again when Oh Hyun-kyu scored the decisive goal in the second half, with some fans jumping up and down, reveling in the victory with family, partners, and friends.
Interest continued to surge online as well.
On the Naver streaming platform, approximately 4.6 million viewers tuned in to watch the live broadcast of the group stage match between South Korea and the Czech Republic. Additionally, 726 related live broadcasts were created, showcasing the high level of engagement.
Soccer fans expressed their excitement, saying, "The moment of the comeback goal gave me chills," "The World Cup is the best for national unity," and "The World Cup is truly a festival for the entire nation."
Meanwhile, under the leadership of coach Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean national soccer team defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening match of Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in Guadalajara, Mexico. Oh Hyun-kyu, who was substituted in for Son Heung-min in the 69th minute, became the hero of the match by scoring the winning goal in the 80th minute.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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