World Cup 2026 Player of the Day - Day 2: Hwang at Heart of South Korea Comeback
Tom Hancock
The entertainment kept coming on day 2 of the 2026 World Cup, and South Korea’s Hwang In-beom produced the standout individual performance of the day.
Hwang had a part to play in both goals as South Korea fought back from 1-0 to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their Group A opener, making a dream start to his second World Cup.
The 29-year-old Feyenoord midfielder, a veteran of 74 caps for his country, drew South Korea level within eight minutes of going behind in Guadalajara, latching onto Lee Kang-in’s through-ball then showing brilliant balance to turn and leave Czech goalkeeper Matek Kovar on the floor before finishing into the far corner.
It was his first international goal since finding the net against Bahrain at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and his seventh overall.
And Hwang wasn’t done there: 10 minutes from time, he helped complete the turnaround by setting up substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu for the winner.
Hwang – who joined Feyenoord in 2024 after spells with Olympiacos and Red Star Belgrade – met Paik Seung-ho’s ball over the top and played a pinpoint first-time low cross into the box for Oh to finish.
Substituted on 84 minutes, Hwang had more touches than any other player on the pitch (93) – and the joint most touches in the opposition box (five), emphasising his significant influence on the positive outcome for Hong Myung-bo’s side.
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