South Korea produced one of the more impressive performances of the opening World Cup weekend, coming from behind to beat Czechia 2-1 in Group A on Friday, 12 June 2026 (3:00 AM WAT).
In-Beom Hwang equalised in the 67th minute before setting up substitute Hyeon-Gyu Oh for the winner ten minutes later. For Nigerian fans staying up late to follow the World Cup action, this result fully justified the effort. South Korea went into the tournament as genuine dark horses. After 90 minutes in Guadalajara, that reputation looks well earned.
Czechia made life complicated for themselves from the very start by sitting deep and relying on set pieces rather than building from open play. It nearly worked. Ladislav Krejci headed home Vladimir Coufal’s long throw in the 59th minute, giving the Czechs the lead against the run of play.
South Korea had controlled possession, completed significantly more passes, and created better chances throughout the first half. However, a dominant performance counts for nothing if it does not produce goals. That lesson was almost learned the hard way.
Fortunately, the comeback was swift and thoroughly deserved. South Korea finished with 62 per cent of possession and 469 accurate passes to Czechia’s 230, nearly twice as many. Both of their goals were beautifully constructed, featuring the game’s two standout performers, Hwang and Lee Kang-In.
Victory moved South Korea level on points with Mexico at the top of Group A, setting up a fascinating second matchday that could decide who finishes first in the group.
Table of Contents
Match Details
- South Korea 2-1 Czechia
- Venue: Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, México
- Date: Friday, 12 June 2026 (3:00 AM WAT / 2:00 AM GMT)
- Goalscorers: Ladislav Krejci (59′, Czechia), In-Beom Hwang (67′, South Korea), Hyeon-Gyu Oh (80′, South Korea)
- Assists: Vladimir Coufal (59′), Lee Kang-In (67′), In-Beom Hwang (80′)
- Attendance: 44,985
- Player of the Match: In-Beom Hwang (rated 7.88 by BBC Sport users)
Czechia Strike First Against the Run of Play
South Korea dominated the first half without reward. Son Heung-Min, captaining his nation at his fourth World Cup, had five of South Korea’s eight first-half efforts but could not find the target. His clearest chance arrived shortly after the restart when he tried to lift the ball over goalkeeper Matej Kovar, only to get too little on it. Chances came and went, and Czechia held firm.
Then, against the run of play, Czechia took the lead. Coufal launched a long throw into the South Korean box, and captain Krejci charged in at the near post to head home. Notably, it was Czechia’s first effort on target in the entire match. Sometimes football is brutally unfair. South Korea had done everything right and were suddenly losing.
Hwang and Lee Kang-In Flip the Game
South Korea’s response was measured rather than panicked. Coach Hong Myung-Bo encouraged his players to continue with their game plan, and within eight minutes the equaliser arrived. Lee Kang-In, the PSG midfielder who had been the driving force behind every meaningful South Korean attack, slid a precise pass inside the box to Hwang. Rather than shooting immediately, Hwang spotted Kovar rushing off his line and scooped a deft finish over the goalkeeper and into the unguarded net. Brilliant composure. Brilliant execution.
Moreover, Czechia thought they had retaken the lead in the 78th minute when Tomas Soucek headed home a free kick. Fortunately for South Korea, VAR ruled the goal offside on a tight but correct decision.
Two minutes later, the winner arrived. Hwang drove down the right and rolled a low cross to the far post, where Oh, who had entered as a substitute, tapped home from close range. Simple, clinical, and decisive. Oh, who had nearly missed the match entirely after running a temperature of 38 degrees in the build-up, celebrated with tears and relief in equal measure.
Key Stats and Standout Moments
- South Korea possession: 62%, Czechia: 38%
- South Korea passes completed: 464, Czechia: 242
- Son Heung-Min: 6 shots, only 1 on target across the full game
- Hwang In-Beom: 1 goal, 1 assist, rated 7.88 (Player of the Match)
- Kim Seung-Gyu: crucial saves at 82′ and 90+3′ to preserve the win
- This is South Korea’s first winning start to a World Cup in four editions of the tournament
Son’s Struggles and the Bigger Picture
Son Heung-Min remains South Korea’s most decorated player. His 56 international goals and 145 appearances represent a national record, and he needs just two more goals to draw level with Cha Bum-Kun as the country’s all-time leading scorer. However, his current form is a concern. Since joining Los Angeles FC in August 2025, Son has scored no goals in 13 games for his club in 2026. That slump carried into Guadalajara, where he was replaced by Oh in the 69th minute, having been unable to convert any of his opportunities.
Despite that, South Korea played their best football after Son’s exit. It is a complicated picture. His experience and movement remain valuable, yet the team’s attack appeared sharper and more decisive without him on the pitch. Hong Myung-Bo has a genuine tactical dilemma heading into the Mexico match.
Group A Picture After Two Games
Both Mexico and South Korea sit on three points after the opening round of Group A fixtures. South Korea are currently second by goal difference, trailing Mexico’s plus-two with their own plus-one. Their head-to-head meeting on 19 June (2:00 AM WAT) will therefore be a direct contest for top spot.
Meanwhile, Czechia face South Africa on 18 June in a must-win match for both sides. The loser of that fixture faces an extremely difficult path to the knockout rounds, with eight of the 12 third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16.
South Korea looked like a team capable of going deep in this tournament on Friday morning. Hwang was outstanding, Lee Kang-In was creative throughout, and the team’s defensive resilience held firm when it mattered most. Nigeria may not be at this World Cup, but watching South Korea’s tactical discipline and collective spirit offers any football-loving audience plenty to appreciate.
