South Korea pulled off the kind of dramatic turnaround that makes the World Cup worth watching. Trailing the Czech Republic in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 9, the Korean side completed a 2-1 comeback thanks to striker Hyeon-Gyu Oh’s 80th-minute goal, set up by a pinpoint delivery from midfielder Hwang In-Beom.
The result matters beyond the pitch. This tournament is shaping up to be crypto’s biggest mainstream marketing moment yet, with Kraken announced as FIFA’s official crypto exchange supporter on the very same day South Korea kicked off their campaign.
The goal and the game
Oh’s winner was a thing of beauty. Hwang In-Beom floated a ball into the right side of the box, where Oh drove forward and finished with his left foot to seal the comeback.
South Korea’s victory in their 2026 World Cup debut positions them well in a tournament that has expanded to 48 teams for the first time. The competition is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, meaning time zones are friendlier for North American audiences.
