Two games in and the FIFA World Cup already gave us a comeback and a clean, controlled win. South Korea turned it around against Czechia, while Mexico took care of business versus South Africa. From those 90 minute stories came our Team of the Day, a lively mix of El Tri’s balance and Korea’s punch. As usual, all selections are backed by Sofascore Rating and match data.

Player of the Day: Hwang In-beom runs the show for Korea

Hwang In-beom was everywhere in Korea’s 2-1 win and he did it with substance. He scored the winner in the 67th minute and also delivered an assist, the complete midfielder’s double. His passing was elite, with 73 of 81 completed for a 90 percent clip and 40 of 45 in the opposition half. He produced 1 key pass, an xA of 0.49 and created a big chance that changed the game’s rhythm. Hwang added bite without fouls piling up, posting 2 interceptions, 1 clearance and 5 recoveries.

The volume was just as impressive. He had 93 touches and carried the ball 156 meters across 25 carries, rarely wasting it. He completed both of his dribbles and was not dribbled past. His shooting was clean too, 3 attempts with 2 on target and 0.36 xG, which rose to 0.93 xGOT thanks to the finish. It all added up to an 8.9 Sofascore Rating, the top mark on Day 1 and fully deserved.

Julián Quiñones sets the tone in the opener

Mexico’s first step, a 2-0 win against South Africa, had Julián Quiñones front and center. He finished with a goal, 5 total shots and even rattled the woodwork once. On the ball he was sharp and progressive, going 28 of 33 on passes for 85 percent, with 20 of 22 completed in the opposition half. He also dropped two accurate long balls and created 2 key passes, good for 0.08 xA.

The winger was a constant runner with 49 touches and 12 carries that gained 17.2 meters, plus 5 successful dribbles out of 6. He drew 2 fouls, lost it only once on an unsuccessful touch and kept asking questions of the back line. His xG sat at 0.37 and he hit the target twice, a tidy shot profile for a wide forward. An 8.6 Sofascore Rating crowned a performance that set Mexico on its way and earned him Player of the Match in the World Cup opener.

The rest of the Best XI, from back to front

In goal, Kim Seung-gyu held Korea together when it mattered. He made 3 saves and posted 0.64 goals prevented, a handy platform for the late swing, and earned a 7.4. The back line mixes steel and timing. Israel Reyes was tidy on the right for Mexico with a 7.2, while Lee Tae-seok’s left side running helped Korea sustain pressure for his 7.2.

Czech center-back Ladislav Krejčí deserves a nod, even in defeat. He scored the header that put Czechia ahead, a classic set-piece leader’s moment, and still makes the XI at 7.1. Ahead of them, Mexico’s Erik Lira knitted the team together. He assisted in the 2-0 victory, kept the tempo and posted a 7.4 that speaks to how well he read the game. Hwang, our headline act, shared the midfield with Lee Kang-in, who pulled strings between the lines. Lee assisted Korea’s first goal of the turnaround and collected an 8.1 for the craft that kicked the comeback into gear.

The front four delivered end product. On Mexico’s right, Roberto Alvarado supplied an assist and smart movement for an 8.2 as El Tri’s wide threat never dipped. Raúl Jiménez sealed the result with a striker’s finish and a 7.6, classic penalty-box timing. Korea’s Oh Hyeon-gyu grabbed a crucial goal in the comeback for a 7.5, a poacher’s reward for persistence. Add in Quiñones on the left and you get a front line that punished mistakes and created their own chances.

What the XI tells us about Day 1

This Best XI looks like an attacking 4-4-2, but it played fluid in both matches. Mexico’s balance shows in four inclusions, from Reyes and Lira’s control to Alvarado’s service and Jiménez’s calm finish. Korea’s surge supplies five picks, which is no surprise after a comeback that blended energy with clean execution. Czechia are represented through Krejčí’s set-piece edge, a reminder that margins matter at this level.

If you enjoy following performance trends through a tournament, keep an eye on these names. Hwang’s all-court profile and Lee’s creativity hint at repeat appearances. Mexico’s wide threats look in sync already, which bodes well for the next fixtures. Track every match on Sofascore for live momentum, detailed maps and the Sofascore Rating that drives selections like this one.