South Korea beat Czech Republic 2-1 in World Cup opener

Friday June 12, 2026

Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group A – South Korea v Czech Republic – Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico – June 11, 2026 Czech Republic’s Ladislav Krejci in action REUTERS/Paul Childs Purchase Licensing Rights

South Korea roared back from an early deficit to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening World Cup Group A match on Thursday, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu striking the decisive goal in the 80th minute.

The Koreans had already squandered several promising opportunities through captain Son Heung-Min before Czech skipper Ladislav Krejci gave his side an unlikely lead in the 59th minute, rising to meet a long throw-in and heading home against the run of play. The advantage lasted only eight minutes, as Hwang In-Beom stayed composed to lift the equaliser over the goalkeeper.

Tomas Soucek appeared to have restored the Czechs’ lead with a header from a free kick in the 77th minute, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Less than three minutes later, South Korea made the breakthrough at the other end, with Hwang turning provider and laying the ball back for Oh to finish from close range.

Co-hosts Mexico lead the group after opening with a 2-0 win over South Africa, and they will face South Korea in Guadalajara next Thursday. The Czech Republic will meet South Africa in Atlanta.

Reporting by Philip O’Connor, editing by Ed Osmond