GUADALAJARA: South Korea came from behind to defeat the Czechia 2-1 in an entertaining Group A encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, securing a valuable three points in their opening match.
The match, played before a crowd of 44,985 at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, remained goalless at halftime despite both sides adopting an attacking approach.
The Czechia broke the deadlock early in the second half when Ladislav Krejčí rose highest to head home a long throw and give his side a 1-0 advantage.
However, the lead proved short-lived as South Korean star Hwang In-beom responded with an equalizer, bringing his team back into the contest and shifting momentum in Korea’s favor.
With the score level at 1-1, both teams pushed forward in search of a winner, creating an open and fast-paced contest.
The decisive moment came late in the match when substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu slid in to convert a cross, putting South Korea ahead 2-1.
The Czechia pressed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but South Korea’s defense held firm to preserve the lead and secure victory.
The result gives South Korea a strong start to its World Cup campaign and places the team in a favorable position in Group A as the tournament progresses. The Czechia, meanwhile, will look to recover in its next group-stage fixture after falling short despite taking the lead.
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