South Korea overcame an early deficit to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A opening match on Thursday, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu delivering the decisive strike in the 80th minute to kick off their tournament campaign with victory that marked their seventh overall World Cup finals victory against European opposition in 11 consecutive tournament appearances. This also marks the teams’ first win in a FIFA World Cup opener since 2010.Â
With this win the Koreans joined Mexico on three points at the top of the pool after the co-hosts defeated nine-man South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener in Mexico City.
South Korea vs Czech RepublicÂ
Ladislav Krejci put the Czechs ahead with a fine header as the European side dominated in the air, but Hwang In-beom equalised shortly afterwards and turned provider for substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu’s winner.
Oh had come on for the misfiring Son Heung-min, who had five chances in the first half alone but endured an off-day in front of goal and is still two goals shy of the all-time scoring record for the side, failing to add to his 56 strikes.
South Korea next face Mexico on June 18 and the Czechs travel to Atlanta to meet South Africa on the same day.
Come from behind win to start the World Cup for Son and South Korea 🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/3mJ4zWXU1i
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 12, 2026
There were noticeable areas of empty seats in the stadium, but the vast majority of the 44,985 in attendance were firmly behind the Koreans.
It was a game of contrasting styles, the technical quality and passing range of the Koreans versus the brute strength and direct style of the Czechs.
The first half was goalless but the game sprang to life in the second period and it was the Czechs who took the lead after 59 minutes when Krejci rose highest to head home from a long throw by Vladimir Coufal.
South Korea were level eight minutes later and it was a fine goal too. Lee Kang-in’s excellent through ball created the shooting opportunity for Hwang In-beom and he cut inside before curling a right-footed shot low into the far corner.
Korea were undone by a set-piece again when Thomas Soucek headed in a free kick, but the flag was raised for offside as the Czechs’ first game at the World Cup in 20 years ended in defeat.
Next Group A Fixtures For South Korea And Czech Republic
The result places South Korea level on three points at the top of Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, who registered a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament’s opening match earlier on Thursday.
The group standings will intensify next Thursday, June 18, when South Korea faces Mexico in a crucial top-of-the-table clash in Guadalajara, while the Czech Republic travels to Atlanta to encounter South Africa.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A Points TableÂ
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 1 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | South Korea | 1 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Czechia | 1 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | South Africa | 1 | 0 | -2 | 0 |
(With Inputs from Reuters)Â
