South Korea kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Czechia in Group A at Estadio Guadalajara in Mexico on June 12, 2026. Captain Son Heung-min and his teammates showed resilience in the second half to overcome an early deficit and claim all three points.
Match Summary
- Final Score: South Korea 2 – 1 Czechia
- Goals:
- Czechia: Ladislav Krejčí (59′)
- South Korea: Hwang In-Beom (67′), Oh Hyeon-Gyu (80′)
- Venue: Guadalajara Stadium, Zapopan (near Guadalajara), Mexico
- Attendance: Strong support from Korean fans and local Mexican crowds
The first half remained goalless despite several chances for both sides. Czechia applied pressure with corners and blocked shots, while South Korea threatened through Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in.
Czechia took the lead in the 59th minute when Ladislav Krejčí headed home from a cross by Vladimír Coufal. South Korea responded quickly. Hwang In-Beom equalized in the 67th minute with a composed finish assisted by Lee Kang-in. Oh Hyeon-Gyu then scored the winner in the 80th minute, securing a dramatic comeback.
Key Performers
- Son Heung-min (South Korea): Led by example in his fourth World Cup, creating chances and driving the attack.
- Lee Kang-in: Provided crucial assists and creativity from midfield.
- Hwang In-Beom & Oh Hyeon-Gyu: Match-winners with clinical finishing.
- Czechia’s defense (including Tomáš Souček and Patrik Schick threats) put up a strong fight but couldn’t hold the lead.
Group A Context
Mexico started the group strongly with a 2-0 win over South Africa on June 11. South Korea’s victory puts them in a strong position alongside the hosts. Czechia, returning to the World Cup after a long absence, showed quality but will need to regroup for upcoming matches
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