South Korea staged a compelling second-half comeback to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their second Group A fixture of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night. Midfielder Hwang In-beom was the architect of their victory, scoring the equaliser and setting up the decisive goal.
The match, held at Guadalajara Stadium, saw a slow start from both sides, with the first half ending goalless. The Czech Republic, making their first World Cup appearance since 2006, eventually broke the deadlock in the 59th minute. Captain Ladislav Krejci headed home from a long throw-in into the penalty area, putting his side ahead.
However, South Korea, ranked 25th by FIFA compared to the Czech Republic's 38th, responded swiftly. In the 67th minute, Hwang In-beom showcased his skill, faking a shot with a neat move to bypass two defenders before slotting the ball into the net to level the scores. His impact continued to be felt as he then delivered a crucial cross from the right flank, which Oh Hyeon-gyu converted in the 80th minute, securing the win for the Koreans.
Despite controlling possession and outshooting their opponents throughout the game, South Korea, led by star forward Son Heung-min, had struggled to convert their chances earlier in the match. The announced attendance at the 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium was 44,985, though sections of the stands appeared visibly empty.
This result places South Korea in a strong position within Group A. In the other Group A match played on Thursday, co-host Mexico commenced their tournament with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in Mexico City, setting up an intriguing dynamic for the group's subsequent fixtures.