South Korea rallies to beat Czechia 2-1 in World Cup Group A opener

South Korea rallied ​from a goal down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and make a winning start to their World ‌Cup Group A campaign thanks to goals by Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyuon Thursday. 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 […] The post Hwang and Oh strike as South Korea fight back to sink Czech Republic appeared first on nationnews.com.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AFP) -- South Korea got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start by beating the Czech Republic 2-1 Thursday after finally converting some of the many chances they created. Until the 80th-minute mark it seemed that the Czechs would punish the Koreans' wastefulness, but substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the decisive goal in a Guadalajara stadium that was far from full. Son Heung-min's Koreans had dominated the first half but were unable to find the net. The former Tottenham star blasted one effort over the bar before making a driving run to his left and evading two Czech defenders only to shoot wide. An entertaining second half began with the Czechs scoring against the run of play as Ladislav Krejci rose at the front post to power a header past Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. Hwang In-beom finally made the Korean pressure pay with a clever equalizer as he faked a shot and then caressed the ball over Czech 'keeper Matek Kovar on 67 minutes. The Czechs had a goal disallowed before Hwang added to his goal with an assist, crossing from the right for Oh to slot home. When the final whistle sounded after a frantic end to the game, Son sank to the turf in joy. South Korea face co-hosts Mexico, who beat South Africa 2-0 in the tournament's opening Group A game earlier Thursday, on June 18. The Czechs play the South Africans in Atlanta on the same day.

South Korea get off to winning start after rallying from goal down to beat Czechia  The GuardianWorld Cup 2026: South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic - In-Beom Hwang inspires comeback win after Ladislav Krejci goal  Sky SportsSouth Korea 2-1 Czechia (12 Jun, 2026) Game Analysis  ESPNWorld Cup 2026 live: Hwang In-Beom levels for South Korea after Ladislav Krejci headed Czechia in front  The IndependentWorld Cup 2026 day 1 — as it happened  The Times

ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico on Thursday, taking a big step toward a place in the knockout stage. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu netted the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in western Mexico, after the teams had traded a goal apiece earlier in the second half following a goalless opening half. Ladislav Krejci headed in the match's first goal for Czechia in the 59th minute before Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer eight minutes later. Hwang then assisted Oh's goal, which came a couple of minutes after a would-be Czechia goal was disallowed on an offside. This was the fourth time that Korea won their first match of a World Cup, following 2002, 2006 and 2010. Korea progressed to the knockout phase in 2002 and 2010. Korea's next Group A match will be against Mexico, one of the tournament's three co-host countries, at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Estadio Guadalajara. It will be 10 a.m. next Friday in Korea. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City in the tournament opener earlier Thursda

ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico on Thursday, taking a big step toward a place in the knockout stage. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu netted the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in western Mexico, after the teams had traded a goal apiece earlier in the second half following a goalless opening half. Ladislav Krejci headed in the match's first goal for Czechia in the 59th minute before Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer eight minutes later. Hwang then assisted Oh's goal, which came a couple of minutes after a would-be Czechia goal was disallowed on an offside. This was the fourth time that Korea won their first match of a World Cup, following 2002, 2006 and 2010. Korea progressed to the knockout phase in 2002 and 2010. Korea's next Group A match will be against Mexico, one of the tournament's three co-host countries, at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Estadio Guadalajara. It will be 10 a.m. next Friday in Korea. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City in the tournament opener earlier Thursda

South Korea rallied from a goal down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and make a winning start to their World Cup Group A campaign thanks to goals by Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyuon Thursday. The Koreans joined Mexico on three points at the top of the standings after the co-hosts defeated nine-man South Africa […]