South Korea came from behind to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing a crucial victory after a spirited second-half comeback.
The match was largely dominated by South Korea, particularly in the opening half, but the Asian side struggled to convert their chances into goals.
Captain Son Heung-min came closest before the break, first firing wide from the edge of the penalty area before failing to get his footing right when presented with a clear scoring opportunity moments before half-time.
Despite South Korea’s dominance, it was the Czech Republic that broke the deadlock in the 59th minute.
Ladislav Krejci headed home from a long throw-in to give his side the lead with their first shot on target of the match.
South Korea responded positively and restored parity eight minutes later. Hwang In-beom showed great composure to delicately lift the ball over advancing goalkeeper Matej Kovar, bringing his side back into the contest.
The comeback was completed four minutes from time when Oh Hyeon-Gyu found the winner in the 86th minute, sparking celebrations among South Korean supporters.
The victory gives South Korea a significant boost in their World Cup campaign, while the Czech Republic will be left disappointed after surrendering a lead despite a resilient defensive display for much of the contest.
