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South Korea rallies to defeat Czech Republic 2-1 in World Cup opener

6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 5:11 AM

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

South Korea rallies to defeat Czech Republic 2-1 in World Cup opener
Summary

South Korea overcame a one-goal deficit to secure a 2-1 victory against Czech Republic in their World Cup opener on June 12 at Estadio Guadalajara. After Czech's Ladislav Krejčí opened the scoring with a header in the 59th minute, South Korea quickly equalized through Hwang In-beom's skillful finish just eight minutes later. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winning goal in the 80th minute, clinching the match for South Korea. With this victory, South Korea is tied with co-hosts Mexico atop Group A standings, while Czech Republic returns to World Cup competition after a 20-year absence.

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Status Watch
  • •South Korea scores twice after falling behind in the second half.
  • •Czech Republic's Krejčí scored the opener from a long throw-in.
  • •Hwang equalized shortly after Czech's goal with a chipped finish.
  • •Oh netted the winner with a close-range shot in the 80th minute.
  • •South Korea shares the top of Group A with Mexico after this match.
Latest Updates
  • 5:11 AMYahoo Sports — South Korea fight back to beat Czech Republic 2-1 at World Cup opener
  • 4:08 AMThe Guardian Sport — South Korea get off to winning start after rallying from goal down to beat Czechia
  • 3:55 AMYahoo Sports — World Cup 2026: South Korea fights back for 2-1 win over Czechia in pivotal opener
What they're saying
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South Korea came back from a goal down to snatch a thrilling 2-1 win over Czechia in their World Cup Group A opener, substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu grabbing the winner in the 80th minute. Korea captain Son Heung-min wasted a number of decent chances before his Czech counterpart Ladislav Krejci broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 59th minute by heading home from a long throw-in, but the lead was short-lived as Hwang In-beom kept his cool to dink the equaliser over the keeper eight minutes later. Continue reading...

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South Korea fought back for a deserved 2-1 victory in their World Cup opener against the Czech Republic on Thursday. They were the better team throughout the game, forcing Czech keeper Matej Kovar into several big saves, but fell behind in the 59th minute.

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South Korea fought back from a goal down to claim a deserved 2-1 win over Group A rivals Czech Republic in the second game of the World Cup at Estadio Guadalajara.

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