Lee Kyung-kyu Nails Hwang In-beom Goal Prediction; Lee Young-pyo Correctly Predicted a 2-1 Win: "He Said Oh Hyeon-gyu Would Score"

[Sportschosun Reporter Jo Yoon-sun] Lee Kyung-kyu has become another "octopus" after correctly predicting Hwang In-beom's goal. Lee Young-pyo, meanwhile, accurately predicted South Korea's 2-1 victory.

On Friday the 12th, South Korea's first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a Group A opener against the Czech Republic, was held at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. Lee Young-pyo, who returned to the World Cup broadcast microphone for the first time in eight years, and commentator Nam Hyun-jong called the live match on KBS 2TV. Lee said he had prepared thoroughly for his long-awaited World Cup coverage, including tactical notes using AI.

Lee Kyung-kyu, the "local reporter" who visited the high-altitude site at Guadalajara Stadium, one of the key factors in the Czech Republic match, said, "I walked through the high altitude, and it is very tough. Because the Czech players are tall, they will probably feel even more fatigue than we do," and added, "I wonder if Hwang In-beom's long-range shot will go in," correctly predicting Hwang's goal and earning himself another "octopus" title.

In a first half highlighted by South Korea's defense, Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min, and Lee Jae-sung pressed the opposing team hard and controlled the game. However, several scoring chances did not turn into goals, and the first half ended 0-0. Lee Young-pyo lamented the missed opportunities, saying, "To score, when you break in deep from both flanks, you need three players in the middle to make life difficult for the opponent. But there was only one player each, like Lee Jae-sung and Son Heung-min. Even when the wings were opened up, there was no one in the middle to receive the ball, so two or three such chances fell apart."

The second half featured a fierce back-and-forth battle. In the 14th minute, Ladislav Krejčí put the Czech Republic ahead and put pressure on South Korea. But Hwang In-beom leveled the score in the 22nd minute, shortly after the opener, shifting the momentum. Lee Young-pyo praised the goal, saying, "This goal shows why Hwang In-beom came back after leaving the national team because of injury. He did not need power; he found the net with an accurate trajectory to avoid the goalkeeper's angle." When striker Oh Hyeon-gyu was brought on as a substitute, Lee added, "I met Oh Hyeon-gyu before the match, and he said, 'If I go to the stadium, I will score one goal. I absolutely will.'" He was full of anticipation. There was then a tense moment when the Czech Republic found the net again, but South Korea escaped after the goal was ruled offside. Lee Young-pyo said, "The Czech Republic's simple football is working. We have to be careful about fouls near our box," and added, "I've never taken a Cheongshim-hwan in my life, but I suddenly really want one," as he held his chest in relief. Right after that comment, in the 35th minute of the second half, Oh Hyeon-gyu struck the decisive comeback "Cheongshim-hwan goal" as if he had been waiting for it. Lee Young-pyo shouted in delight, saying, "He kept his promise."

Nam Hyun-jong, surprised that Lee Young-pyo had correctly predicted South Korea's 2-1 win, asked, "You returned to the broadcast microphone after eight years. How did you predict a 2-1 victory?" Lee Young-pyo, the "humble octopus," replied, "It was luck," drawing laughter. South Korea's 2-1 win had been predicted not only by Lee Young-pyo on KBS, but also by AI, Park Chu-young, Cho Won-hee, Kim Young-gwon, who appeared in the pre-show, and even viewers. Lee Young-pyo concluded, "Today's match was effectively the most important one in deciding everything beyond this. There are still matches left, but now we can approach the remaining two with confidence." He also said, "I do not need to sleep tonight. I will savor the victory," while stressing the importance of the upcoming Friday, the 19th, 10 a.m. match against Mexico, saying, "The real game that will decide first place in Group A is the second match against Mexico."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, with KBS broadcasting every match, will be held from June 11 to July 19. After their win over the Czech Republic, the South Korea national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Mexico at 10 a.m. on Friday the 19th and the Republic of South Africa at 10 a.m. on Thursday the 25th in Group A play.