South Korea rallied from a goal down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1, making a winning start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A campaign, courtesy of goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu.
The first half was goalless but the game sprang to life in the second period and it was the Czechs who took the lead after 59 minutes when Ladislav Krejci rose highest to head home from a long throw by Vladimir Coufal.
South Korea were level eight minutes later and it was a fine goal.
Lee Kang-in’s excellent through ball created the shooting opportunity for Hwang and he cut inside before curling a right-foot shot low into the far corner.
South Korea continued to push forward and were rewarded.
Hwang picked up possession on the right wing and his low cross into the six-yard box was swept into the net by Hyeon-gyu.
The Koreans were undone by a set-piece again when Thomas Soucek headed in a free kick, but the flag was raised for offside as the Czechs’ first game at the World Cup in 20 years ended in defeat.
The Koreans joined Mexico on three points at the top of the standings after the co-hosts defeated nine-man South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener.
South Korea next face Mexico on June 18th and the Czechs travel to Atlanta to meet South Africa on the same day.
