FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group Stage – Group A
South Korea…….2
Czech Republic..1
South Korea staged a dramatic comeback to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their World Cup opener, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu netting the winner in the 80th minute. The game was played this morning at 4am (CET) in the
Estadio Guadalajara in the Guadalajara metropolitan area of Mexico.
Despite dominating much of the match, Son Heung-min and his teammates fell behind in the 59th minute when Czech captain Ladislav Krejci headed in a long throw from Vladimir Coufal — the Czechs’ first shot on target of the game.
Son, leading his side as captain, had been South Korea’s main attacking threat, registering five of their eight first-half attempts, though his best opportunity was denied by goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
South Korea responded quickly through Hwang In-beom, who levelled the score just eight minutes later. After being picked out in the box by Lee Kang-in, the Feyenoord midfielder fooled Kovar with a dummy before delicately lifting the ball into the empty net.
The Czechs thought they had regained the lead in the 78th minute when Tomas Soucek headed home from a free-kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
That reprieve proved crucial as South Korea completed the turnaround moments later. Hwang turned provider this time, delivering a cross for Besiktas striker Oh Hyeon-gyu to tap in the decisive goal.
Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu then preserved the lead with two outstanding saves, first denying Adam Hlozek from close range in the 82nd minute before stopping Michal Sadilek deep into stoppage time.
The victory marked South Korea’s first winning start at a World Cup in four tournaments.
Czech Republic will next face South Africa on Thursday, 18 June (17:00 BST) while South Korea take on World Cup co-hosts Mexico, who beat South Africa in their first match, on Friday, 19 June (02:00).
