South Korea got off on the right foot in the 2026 World Cup by beating Czechia 2-1, this Thursday, at the Guadalajara Stadium, in Mexico. After starting at a disadvantage, the Asian team showed personality, reacted with authority and achieved a decisive turnaround in the second half.
The Group A match was marked by balance for long periods, with few clear scoring opportunities and two teams being cautious in their approach to the game. Even so, Czechia demonstrated greater collective organization and seemed more comfortable in managing the pace of the match.
The first big emotion came in the 59th minute and belonged to the Czechs. Following an aerial move, Ladislav Krejčí rose above the South Korean defense and headed the ball into the back of the net, putting his team ahead. The 1-0 ended up rewarding the consistency shown by Czechia until that moment.
The South Korean response, however, was not long in coming. In the 67th minute, Hwang In-beom scored one of the greatest moments of the match. After a precise pass from Lee Kang-in, the midfielder received the ball, overtook the defense and goalkeeper in the same movement and finished coolly to restore equality. The goal changed the course of the game and gave confidence back to the Taegeuk Warriors.
The somersault on the scoreboard was completed in the 80th minute. This time in the role of assistant, Hwang In-beom crossed low into the box and found Oh Hyeon-gyu, who appeared at the right moment to, with his left foot, make it 2-1. From disadvantage to advantage, South Korea needed just thirteen minutes to completely turn the match around.
Czechia still tried to react in the final moments, but found an inspired goalkeeper in front of them. Already in added time, in the 90+3 minute, Kim Seung-gyu shone by flying to the right and preventing the equalizer with a decisive save. A decisive intervention that secured South Korea’s first three points in the tournament.
With this result, the South Korean team is off to a positive start in Group A, which also includes Mexico, host of the competition, and South Africa. The victory leaves good indications for the Asian team, especially due to the ability to react after conceding first. Czechia, returning to the finals of the World Cup after a long absence, leaves Guadalajara with the frustration of having had an advantage and the obligation to score in the next rounds.
