South Korea rallied from a goal down to defeat Czechia 2-1 in their World Cup 2026 Group A opener. Hwang In-beom and substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored in Guadalajara.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – June 12, 2026 – South Korea mounted a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Czechia 2-1 in their opening Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at a sweltering Estadio Akron on Thursday. 

After a goalless first half that offered little attacking enterprise from either side, the game exploded into life after the break. Czechia drew first blood against the run of play in the 59th minute, but the resilient Koreans, driven by a dominant display in midfield, responded with two unanswered goals to secure a vital three points and take a major step towards the knockout rounds. 

The victory gives South Korea an ideal start in a competitive Group A, where co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener. Czechia, making their first World Cup appearance in two decades, will need to regroup quickly to keep their hopes alive. 

First Half: Tactical Patience and Missed Chances

South Korea boss Hong Myung-bo named a star-studded lineup, with captain Son Heung-min leading the attack for his record-tying fourth World Cup. In a cautious opening, it was Czechia who had the first real chance. In the 22nd minute, a corner kick caused chaos in the Korean box, with Tomas Soucek getting a touch that sent the ball just wide of the post. 

Korea grew into the half and began to dictate the tempo. Lee Kang-in tested Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar with a long-range strike in the 14th minute after a sharp pass from Kim Min-jae. As the half wore on, Son Heung-min started to find space. In the 38th minute, his right-footed attempt sailed over the bar, and a minute later, a curling left-footed effort from just outside the box bent just wide of the far post. The two sides entered the break locked in a stalemate. 

Second Half: A Flurry of Goals and High Drama

The second half burst into life shortly before the hour mark.

Czechia’s Set-Piece Strikes First: Against the run of play, Czechia opened the scoring in the 59th minute. A long, powerful throw-in from the right flank was flicked on, and defender Ladislav Krejci arrived unmarked to power a header past Kim Seung-gyu from close range. 

Immediate Response: The lead lasted only eight minutes. In the 67th minute, the influential Hwang In-beom ghosted into the left channel. Receiving a sumptuous through-ball, he showed remarkable composure inside the box, faking a shot to send multiple Czech defenders to the deck before clipping a delicate right-footed effort into the far corner for the equalizer. 

A Narrow Escape: The drama intensified in the 77th minute. Czechia thought they had retaken the lead when Soucek thundered home a header from a free-kick. However, the assistant referee’s flag was immediately raised for offside. Replays confirmed the decision was correct by a matter of inches, as Soucek’s shoulder was just ahead of the last defender. The goal was disallowed. 

The Winning Goal: South Korea capitalized on Czechia’s frustration. Just three minutes later, in the 80th minute, substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, who had replaced Son moments earlier, made an instant impact. Hwang In-beom was again the provider, hooking a perfect low cross from the right into the “corridor of uncertainty.” Oh steamed onto the ball and forced it home from point-blank range, sending the Korean fans into raptures. 

Stoppage Time and Final Whistle

Czechia poured forward in search of an equalizer, creating a golden opportunity in the 93rd minute. Adam Hlozek fed Michal Sadilek in space inside the box, but his driven effort was saved low to his right by the sprawling Kim Seung-gyu, who preserved the lead with a clutch save.  South Korea managed the game expertly, milking the clock and controlling possession to see out a famous comeback victory. 

What Comes Next

With the win, South Korea joins Mexico on three points at the top of Group A.  The Taeguk Warriors will now face a stern test against the co-hosts, Mexico, on Thursday, June 18, at the same venue in Guadalajara. Czechia, meanwhile, will need to regroup before their crucial next match against South Africa in Atlanta.  Their task is now a difficult one: they will likely need to win their final two games to have any chance of progressing to the Round of 32.

FAQ

Q: Who won the South Korea vs. Czechia World Cup 2026 match?
A: South Korea won, coming from behind to defeat Czechia 2-1 in their Group A opener at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on June 12, 2026. 

Q: What was the final score between South Korea and Czech Republic?
A: The final score was South Korea 2, Czechia (Czech Republic) 1. 

Q: Who scored the goals for South Korea against Czechia?
A: Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer in the 67th minute, and substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winning goal in the 80th minute. 

Q: Who scored for Czechia against South Korea?
A: Captain Ladislav Krejci scored for Czechia in the 59th minute with a powerful header from a long throw-in. 

Q: Why was Tomas Soucek's goal disallowed for Czechia?
A: Tomas Soucek’s 77th-minute header was disallowed because he was ruled offside. The assistant referee raised his flag immediately, and replays confirmed he had strayed just ahead of the last defender. 

Q: Where was the South Korea vs. Czechia match played?
A: The match was played at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, also referred to as the Guadalajara Stadium. 

Q: What was the attendance for the South Korea vs. Czechia game?
A: The announced attendance was 44,985, though there were noticeable sections of empty seats throughout the 45,664-capacity stadium. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Comeback Victory: South Korea overcame a 1-0 deficit with goals from Hwang In-beom (67’) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (80’) to secure a 2-1 win over Czechia. 
• Disallowed Goal: Czechia’s Tomas Soucek had a potential 77th-minute winner ruled out for offside, a decision that proved crucial in the match’s outcome. 
• Midfield Maestro: Hwang In-beom was the undisputed man of the match, scoring the equalizer and providing the assist for the winning goal. 
• Historic Context: This was South Korea’s fourth win in a World Cup opening match, following victories in 2002, 2006, and 2010. 
• Group A Implications: With Mexico also winning its opener, Group A is set for a crucial top-of-the-table clash between the co-hosts and South Korea in the next round of matches. 
• Czechia’s Return: Czechia made their first World Cup appearance since 2006 but will be left to rue a game of two halves and a disallowed goal.