CHUNCHEON, South Korea (Interstat) — In a stunning opening match of the AFC Champions League World, South Korea’s Gangwon FC outlasted Japan’s Vissel Kobe in a wild 4-3 victory on Wednesday, overcoming a second-half collapse and a late red card to secure a dramatic win in stoppage time.

The match, played before a raucous crowd at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town Stadium, defied all pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a low-scoring 1-1 draw, while its ELO system gave Vissel Kobe a 58.4 percent probability of winning. Instead, fans were treated to a seven-goal thriller that saw momentum swing violently between the two sides.

Gangwon exploded out of the gate, establishing a commanding lead with three first-half goals. Lee Sangheon opened the scoring in the seventh minute, setting the tone for the home side. The pressure continued as forward Mo Jaehyeon found the net in the 21st minute, and defender Song Junseok seemingly put the game out of reach with a goal in the 43rd minute, making it 3-0.

The match appeared to be a straightforward rout, but Vissel Kobe mounted an incredible comeback just before halftime, completely altering the complexion of the game. Substitute Taisei Miyashiro sparked the rally with a goal in the 48th minute. Just two minutes later, fellow substitute Jean Patric scored, pulling the visiting side within a single goal in a stunning two-minute span.

The second half was a tense, back-and-forth affair. Gangwon’s Mo Jaehyeon, who had already scored and assisted, received a yellow card in the 67th minute, adding to a first-half booking for teammate Seo Minwoo. Vissel Kobe’s comeback was completed in the 89th minute when Miyashiro scored his second goal of the match, leveling the score at 3-3 and silencing the home supporters.

Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Gangwon delivered a final, breathtaking twist. In the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, forward Kim Gunhee scored the decisive goal, securing a 4-3 victory and sending the stadium into a frenzy.

The chaotic conclusion continued as Gangwon’s Mo Jaehyeon received a second yellow card in the eighth minute of stoppage time, resulting in a red card, but it came too late to affect the final outcome.

The victory gives Gangwon an early advantage in the group stage, while Vissel Kobe is left to ponder a devastating loss after a valiant fightback. Both teams now hold a record of 0-0 in the competition.