Last Updated on 12/06/2026 by TinHN Editor
South Korea launched their World Cup 2026 campaign in dramatic fashion, coming from a goal down to beat Czechia 2-1 at Estadio Guadalajara on Thursday. Hwang In-beom scored a stunning solo equaliser and set up substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu’s 80th-minute winner, lifting the Taeguk Warriors level with hosts Mexico at the top of Group A.
First Half: Korea Dominate but Can’t Break Through
From the opening whistle, South Korea looked the more ambitious side. Son Heung-min — the captain now playing his club football for LAFC — was targeted with physical treatment inside the first minute, an early sign of how Czechia planned to contain him.
It nearly didn’t work. Son curled a long-range effort just over the bar in the 39th minute, while Lee Jae-sung twice found himself in dangerous positions inside the box without converting. The first-half numbers told the story of one-way traffic: South Korea registered eight shot attempts to Czechia’s two and edged possession 55-45, yet a disciplined Czech back line and goalkeeper Matěj Kovář kept the score level at 0-0 going into the break.
Second Half: A Sucker Punch, a Wonder Goal and a 21-Minute Turnaround
The pattern continued after the restart. Kovář denied Hwang In-beom, parried a rebound from Lee Jae-sung, then stood tall again when Son raced clean through in the 56th minute. At that point South Korea led the shot count 11-2 — and had nothing to show for it.
Football punished them for it. In the 59th minute, against the run of play, Czechia captain Ladislav Krejčí headed home from a set piece to give the Europeans a shock lead. Tomáš Souček had earlier had a headed goal ruled out for offside — Czechia’s set-piece threat was no accident.
South Korea’s response was emphatic. In the 67th minute, Hwang In-beom collected Lee Kang-in’s threaded pass, danced past two defenders and dinked a delicate chip over Kovář — a genuine contender for goal of the tournament’s opening days, and South Korea’s first goal of World Cup 2026.
The winner arrived in the 80th minute. Hwang, again the architect, delivered a dangerous cross that substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu — on for Son — met from close range, his finish taking a slight deflection off the goalkeeper on its way in. From 1-0 down to 2-1 up in 21 minutes: South Korea had completed the first comeback win of the expanded 48-team tournament.
Hwang In-beom: The Quiet Star of Matchday One
Son Heung-min carries the commercial spotlight, but this was Hwang In-beom’s night. The former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder finished with a goal, an assist and complete control of the tempo in midfield — a performance that puts him firmly in the early conversation among the tournament’s standout players alongside the big names in our players to watch guide.
Son, playing in his fourth World Cup, didn’t score but was a constant menace, forcing multiple saves before being withdrawn with the game still in the balance — a substitution that paid off within minutes.
What the Result Means for Group A
After Matchday 1, Group A looks like this:
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| South Korea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Czechia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
South Korea sit second only on goal difference after Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa in the tournament opener — a match that produced a record three red cards.
Under the new format, the top two in each group advance automatically, and the eight best third-placed teams also reach the Round of 32 — so Czechia and South Africa are far from eliminated. You can follow every permutation in our World Cup 2026 bracket and knockout stage guide, or try our interactive World Cup Predictor to simulate how Group A plays out.
Still, history favours fast starters: teams that win their opening match advance from the group stage at an overwhelmingly high rate, and three early points give South Korea a commanding position.
What’s Next in Group A
Matchday 2 takes place on June 18, when South Korea face hosts Mexico in an early battle for top spot, while Czechia meet South Africa in a must-not-lose clash between the opening-day losers. Check the full World Cup 2026 fixture schedule for kick-off times in your timezone, and see where to watch every match in your country.
Official match details and lineups are available on the FIFA World Cup website.
FAQ: South Korea vs Czechia
Who scored in South Korea vs Czechia at World Cup 2026?
Ladislav Krejčí opened the scoring for Czechia in the 59th minute. Hwang In-beom equalised with a solo goal in the 67th minute, and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored South Korea’s winner in the 80th minute.
Did Son Heung-min score against Czechia?
No. Son Heung-min didn’t score but created several chances and forced multiple saves before being substituted. His replacement, Oh Hyeon-gyu, scored the winning goal.
Where was South Korea vs Czechia played?
The match was played at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico — one of the three Mexican venues at World Cup 2026.
Who do South Korea play next at World Cup 2026?
South Korea face hosts Mexico on June 18 in Group A’s Matchday 2, in a meeting of the group’s two opening-day winners.
Can Czechia still qualify after losing to South Korea?
Yes. With the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 32, one defeat is far from fatal. Czechia’s next match against South Africa on June 18 is now crucial.