South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 in their opening Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico.
South Korean midfielders Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored in the second half to secure the victory after Czech defender Ladislav Krejčí had given the Europeans a brief lead.
The result gives the Asian side an early three points in the group featuring co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
Czechia’s Ladislav Krejčí, a defender, headed home from a set-piece in the 59th minute to open the scoring. South Korea’s Hwang In-beom, the South Korean midfielder, equalized in the 67th minute with a right-footed strike assisted by Lee Kang-in. Oh Hyeon-gyu, the South Korean forward, then scored the winner in the 80th minute with a close-range finish assisted by Hwang In-beom.
South Korea sit second in Group A with three points and a +1 goal difference after one match. Czechia are third with zero points and a -1 goal difference. Mexico lead the group with three points and a +2 goal difference following their opening win.37
South Korea face Mexico on June 18 in their next Group A fixture.