The Czech Republic’s 1-2 loss to South Korea in their 2026 World Cup opener highlighted a tactical reliance on set-piece efficiency, according to data provided by Nova Sport and Opta. While Ladislav Krejčí’s goal underscored the team’s aerial threat, defensive instability and a lack of midfield ball retention left striker Patrik Schick isolated, ultimately allowing South Korea to dictate the game’s tempo.
Why set-piece dominance remains a double-edged sword
The Czech national team’s tactical identity at the 2026 World Cup is heavily tethered to set-piece execution. According to match reports from Nova Sport, nearly every significant scoring opportunity for the Czechs originated from dead-ball situations. This trend is not accidental; it reflects a pre-tournament emphasis on physical presence in the box.
However, this reliance masks a lack of cohesive open-play creation. While captain Ladislav Krejčí successfully converted a long-throw delivery from Vladimír Coufal, the narrow margins of tournament football mean that relying on aerial duels—as evidenced by the offside call that negated a second Tomáš Souček goal—can lead to inconsistent offensive output. When a team fails to convert its set-piece lottery, it often lacks the secondary tactical layer required to break down disciplined defensive blocks.
Patrik Schick managed only 11 touches during his time on the pitch against South Korea, with only two of those occurring inside the penalty area.
The challenge of isolating a target man
Patrik Schick’s performance against South Korea demonstrated the difficulty of utilizing a traditional target man without adequate midfield support. Data from Opta indicates that the Czechs frequently bypassed the middle of the park with long balls, forcing Schick into physical duels against South Korean defenders—a style that contradicts the Bayer Leverkusen forward’s technical strengths.
According to tactical assessments, the team’s inability to maintain possession meant Schick was consistently “cut off” from the rest of the squad. This forced isolation creates a negative feedback loop: the midfield, unable to find passing lanes, resorts to long balls, which the striker cannot hold, leading to rapid turnovers and defensive exposure.
Defensive lapses and the cost of individual errors
Robin Hranáč’s performance in the opening match raised concerns about defensive resilience under pressure. Per analysis from Livesport Zprávy, Hranáč was directly involved in both South Korean goals. The first, a piece of individual skill from In-Beom Hwang, saw Hranáč and goalkeeper Matěj Kovář forced out of position. The second goal resulted from a communication breakdown, likely involving Štěpán Chaloupek, which left Hyeon-Gyu Oh unmarked.
This follows a pattern seen during the 2024 European Championship cycle, where defensive inconsistency often undermined solid structural play. The disparity between the team’s set-piece efficiency and their defensive reaction time suggests that the Czech coaching staff must address lateral movement and defensive communication before the next group stage encounter.
How South Korea leveraged individual star power
South Korea’s victory was defined by the dual threat of Heung-Min Son and Kang-In Lee. Livesport Zprávy notes that Son recorded the highest expected goals (xG) and shot volume in the match, forcing the Czech defense to dedicate excessive resources to tracking his movement.
Conversely, Kang-In Lee functioned as the primary creative engine. His statistics—five successful dribbles and a high win rate in individual duels—pushed the Czech midfield pairing of Alexandr Sojka and Tomáš Souček to their limits. With Sojka and Souček recording tackle and duel success rates below 40%, the Czech midfield struggled to disrupt the rhythm set by the Paris Saint-Germain playmaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was Patrik Schick so ineffective against South Korea?
According to Opta, Schick was isolated due to the team’s reliance on long balls rather than organized buildup play, resulting in only 11 touches. - What is the primary strength of the Czech Republic team?
The team has demonstrated high efficiency in set-piece situations, with nearly all their scoring chances against South Korea originating from corners or free kicks. - Who were the standout performers for South Korea?
Heung-Min Son and Kang-In Lee provided the offensive pressure, while In-Beom Hwang acted as the decisive influence by scoring the equalizer and assisting the winning goal.
How do you think the Czech Republic should adjust their midfield setup to better support their strikers? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for deep-dive tactical analysis throughout the 2026 World Cup.
