South Korea made an impressive start to its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign by overcoming a second-half deficit and defeating the Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara.
For much of the opening hour, South Korea controlled possession and created the more dangerous opportunities but struggled to find a breakthrough. The Czech Republic, making a return to the sport’s biggest stage, remained organized and patient before striking first after the break.
A powerful header from captain Ladislav Krejci stunned the South Korean supporters and briefly shifted momentum toward the European side. Rather than panic, South Korea responded with urgency and composure.
Midfielder Hwang In-beom emerged as the key figure in the comeback. He leveled the match with a well-taken finish before later delivering the decisive pass that allowed substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu to score the winner with ten minutes remaining.
The victory showcased the depth and resilience of the South Korean squad. While star captain Son Heung-min was unable to add to his international goal tally, his movement and creativity helped keep pressure on the Czech defense throughout the match.
The Czech Republic pushed for an equalizer late and briefly thought they had found one, only for the effort to be ruled out. South Korea then held firm through the closing stages to secure three valuable points.
With Mexico having opened the tournament with a win over South Africa, Group A already appears poised for a major early showdown. South Korea’s victory means its upcoming meeting with Mexico could play a significant role in determining who finishes atop the group and gains momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
