How South Korea came from behind to beat Czech Republic in World Cup 2026 group match

South Korea secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening 2026 World Cup Group A match, played at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. The game remained goalless for much of the first half, with Son Heung-min creating chances but failing to score. Czech Republic took the lead in the 57th minute when Ladislav Krejči headed in a powerful shot, but South Korea equalized just eight minutes later through Hwang In-beom, who converted a composed finish. The Koreans sealed the win in the 78th minute when Oh Hyeon-gyu’s deflected toe-poke beat Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar, sparking celebrations despite the unorthodox nature of the goal. The victory ties South Korea with Mexico on points after the hosts’ earlier 2-0 win over South Africa, ensuring a high-stakes rematch between the two teams later in the tournament. Son Heung-min, playing his potential final World Cup, had multiple scoring opportunities but failed to convert, leaving critics questioning his impact. Hwang In-beom’s goal marked his first for South Korea in the tournament, while Oh Hyeon-gyu’s late winner came after a direct run that Son had not matched. The performance also highlighted South Korea’s defensive struggles, as they conceded a goal despite dominating possession. The match took place amid reports of empty seats at Estadio Akron, despite FIFA’s claims of unprecedented ticket demand. Large sections of the stadium, including VIP areas, remained vacant, raising questions about pricing and attendance for the tournament’s North American host cities. The next Group A fixture sees the Czech Republic face South Africa on Thursday, while Mexico and South Korea will meet in a crucial encounter later that night.