FIFA WC 2026: South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in Group A opener at Guadalajara
Synopsis
South Korea's World Cup 2026 campaign opened with a statement: trailing to a Krejci header, they flipped the script with two second-half goals to beat Czechia 2-1 in Guadalajara. It is their third straight World Cup win over European opposition — a pattern that is beginning to look less like an upset and more like a habit.
Key Takeaways
South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A opener at Guadalajara Stadium on Friday .
Ladislav Krejci gave Czechia the lead with a header in the 59th minute , against the run of play.
Hwang In-beom equalised in the 67th minute before Oh Hyeon-gyu completed the comeback in the 80th minute .
Son Heung-min made his fourth World Cup appearance but was denied repeatedly by goalkeeper Kovar .
The win is South Korea's third consecutive World Cup victory over European opposition — after beating Portugal ( 2022 ) and Germany ( 2018 ).
Korea's next Group A match is against Mexico .
South Korea mounted a spirited comeback to defeat Czechia 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A opener at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on Friday, with goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu sealing all three points after the Koreans had fallen behind.
First Half: Korea Dominate, Kovar Holds Firm
South Korea controlled large stretches of the opening period but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Kovar, who pushed away a fierce left-footed strike from Lee Kang-in in the 14th minute. Son Heung-min, making his fourth FIFA World Cup appearance, squandered a couple of decent openings and failed to connect with a chance deep in first-half stoppage time. Son was denied again 11 minutes into the second period, with Kovar once more proving equal to the task.
Czechia Strike Against the Run of Play
Despite Korea's dominance, it was Czechia who broke the deadlock in the 59th minute. Captain Ladislav Krejci soared to meet a long throw from the right by Vladimir Coufal, thundering a header past a helpless Kim Seunggyu in the Korean goal — a goal that came emphatically against the run of play.
Korea's Comeback: Hwang and Oh Deliver
Korea refused to buckle. Hwang In-beom restored parity in the 67th minute with a composed finish — cutting inside before delicately dinking the ball home after a sublime through-ball from Lee Kang-in. The turnaround was completed in the 80th minute when Oh Hyeon-gyu tucked in Hwang's low cross from the right to put Korea ahead.
Czechia Push Late but Kim Stands Tall
Czechia threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but the closest they came was when substitute Adam Hlozek forced Kim Seunggyu into a phenomenal stop in the 82nd minute. Korea held on to claim the win and extend a remarkable record against European opponents at the World Cup.
Coach Hong Myung-bo Reacts
South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo was measured but upbeat after the final whistle. 'It was our first game and a very difficult one. The win itself makes me happy, but what's even more positive is that our boys won by not giving up. I knew that we were more than capable of winning, so at 1-1 I told the boys to keep playing the way we've been playing. Now, Mexico is another important match. We will spend the next week to prepare properly,' he said. This victory marks South Korea's third consecutive World Cup win over European opposition — following a 2-1 defeat of Portugal in 2022 and a 2-0 demolition of Germany in 2018. Korea now turn their attention to their next Group A fixture against Mexico.
Point of View
Each from difficult positions, suggests this squad has a mental resilience that statistics alone cannot capture. What is striking is how Korea continue to dominate possession and create chances, yet repeatedly find themselves behind before turning games around. The coaching staff will need to address that vulnerability in the final third before tougher Group A tests arrive. Son Heung-min's wastefulness in front of goal, despite his experience and class, remains the one nagging concern heading into the Mexico fixture.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of South Korea vs Czechia at FIFA World Cup 2026?
South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 in their Group A opener at Guadalajara Stadium on Friday. Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winning goals after Korea came from a goal down.
Who scored for South Korea against Czechia?
Hwang In-beom scored in the 67th minute to equalise, and Oh Hyeon-gyu completed the comeback in the 80th minute. Ladislav Krejci had given Czechia the lead in the 59th minute.
How did Czechia take the lead against South Korea?
Czechia captain Ladislav Krejci headed home from a long throw by Vladimir Coufal in the 59th minute, beating goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu. The goal came against the run of play.
What is South Korea's World Cup record against European teams?
This win is South Korea's third consecutive World Cup victory over European opposition. They previously beat Portugal 2-1 in 2022 and Germany 2-0 in 2018.
Who is South Korea's next opponent at FIFA World Cup 2026?
South Korea face Mexico in their next Group A fixture. Coach Hong Myung-bo said the team would spend the coming week preparing specifically for that match.
