South Korea vs Czech Republic FIFA World Cup Match Result: South Korea start their campaign with a comeback win

South Korea’s Lee Kang-in reacts with his teammates after beating the Czech Republic during their World Cup Group A soccer match in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo) South Korea staged a brilliant second-half comeback to record a thrilling victory over the Czech Republic in their Group A opener on Friday. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu grabbed the winner for Korea in the 80th minute as they beat the European nation 2-1 at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara.Competing for an 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup and led by talisman Son Heung-min, the Taeguk Warriors were frustrated for much of the first half as the Czechs, returning to football’s biggest stage for the first time in 20 years, controlled the defense and frustrated the Asian side’s attacking moves. Son came closest in the opening third, his speculative effort from distance flying just over the crossbar.The former Tottenham striker missed a fair number of chances, making five of South Korea’s eight attempts in the first half. The Czechs, who chased the match for most of the first half and didn’t have a shot until their captain Ladislav Krejčí headed in Vladimír Coufal’s long throw for the opening goal in the 59th minute.Then the game came alive and eight minutes later Lee Kang-in weaved a pass through the Czech defense and midfielder Hwang In-beom did the rest, misstepping both his keeper and goalkeeper Matej Kovář before delicately lifting the ball into the far corner to make it 1-1.Tomáš Souček thought he had restored the lead in the 77th minute when he headed in a free kick, but the linesman correctly called him offside. With 10 minutes remaining, substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu completed the turnaround in the most clinical fashion, latching on to a perfectly timed cutback from Hwang before slotting the ball in at the near post to complete the turnaround.A superb late save by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu from Michal Sadílek, who had the goal at his mercy, proved to be the decisive moment in stoppage time as South Korea held firm to claim three crucial points.It is the first time in four editions of the FIFA World Cup that South Korea have started their campaign with a win.The Czech Republic next face South Africa on Thursday 18 June, while South Korea take on World Cup co-hosts Mexico on the same day, having beaten South Africa 2-0 in their previous Group A match.