South Korea Come From Behind to Beat Czechia 2-1 in World Cup 2026 Opener

South Korea are up and running at the 2026 World Cup. As of June 12, 2026, Myung-Bo Hong's side have beaten Czechia 2-1 in their Group A opener at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, coming from a goal down with two strikes in the final half-hour . It was scrappy, then urgent, then decisive. Three points to start the tournament.

The result puts South Korea level on three points with co-hosts Mexico at the top of Group A after Matchday 1 (as of June 12, 2026). Next up: Mexico at the same venue on June 18.

How the match unfolded

South Korea dominated the ball for most of the first half (as of June 12, 2026). Son Heung-Min had five chances before the break but couldn't convert . The pattern continued into the second half — lots of possession, little reward.

Then Czechia struck against the run of play. Ladislav Krejčí headed home in the 59th minute from a Vladimír Coufal long throw. It was Czechia's first shot on target in the entire match .

South Korea needed eight minutes to respond. Lee Kang-In slipped a pass to Hwang In-Beom, who clipped the ball over goalkeeper Matej Kovář to equalize in the 67th minute . Clean, quick, composed.

The winner came in the 80th. Substitute Oh Hyeon-Gyu, on for Son Heung-Min, finished off a move started by Hwang In-Beom to complete the comeback . The striker who came off the bench outscored the captain who started.

The Son question

Son Heung-Min has 10 national-team goals in the last 12 months. He has 1,321 NT minutes in that span across 20 appearances. He is two goals shy of South Korea's all-time scoring record . Nobody doubts what he means to this team (as of June 12, 2026).

But he couldn't finish against Czechia. Five first-half chances, zero goals. Coach Hong acknowledged it after the match, saying Son "did his best" while the team must "brush up" on finishing .

Oh Hyeon-Gyu, by contrast, has 7 NT goals in his last 15 appearances — and 16 club goals at Beşiktaş in the same 12-month window. He came on and scored the winner. The selection debate for Matchday 2 starts now (as of June 12, 2026).

Statistical dominance

The numbers confirmed what the eye test showed. South Korea held 62% possession and attempted 15 shots to Czechia's 7 (or 8, per some data sources); their territorial dominance was clear throughout . The scoreline flattered the Europeans. South Korea were the better side for 80 of the 90 minutes. The problem was a familiar one: converting chances (as of June 12, 2026).

The squad behind the result

Hong deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation . Here is the full 26-player roster that traveled to Mexico:

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Key players to watch

Group A schedule

The Mexico match on June 18 is the one that will define the group. Win in Zapopan and South Korea likely top Group A. A draw would still leave them in a strong position. The co-hosts will have the crowd. South Korea will have momentum.

The bigger picture

South Korea's recent form heading into the tournament was mixed: 9 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses in their last 14 matches, with 22 goals scored and 14 conceded. A 5-0 loss to Brazil in October 2025 and a 4-0 loss to Ivory Coast in March 2026 were alarming. But they've responded well — beating Trinidad and Tobago 5-0, El Salvador 1-0, and now Czechia 2-1 in the three matches leading into and opening the World Cup (as of June 12, 2026).

Coach Hong said before the tournament that his two messages to the squad were to "not give up until the end and unite as one" . Against Czechia, that's exactly what happened. A deficit at the hour. An equalizer eight minutes later. A winner from the bench with ten minutes left.

One footnote: the Akron Stadium had large sections of empty seats, with ticket prices, travel costs, and visa issues cited as contributing factors . The atmosphere was sparse for a World Cup opener. South Korea didn't seem to mind.

What does South Korea's World Cup 2026 Group A look like?

South Korea sit on 3 points after beating Czechia 2-1 on Matchday 1, tied with Mexico at the top of Group A . Their next match is against Mexico on June 18 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, followed by South Africa on June 24 at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe (as of June 12, 2026).

Who scored for South Korea against Czechia?

Hwang In-Beom equalized in the 67th minute, clipping the ball over the goalkeeper after a pass from Lee Kang-In . Substitute Oh Hyeon-Gyu scored the winner in the 80th minute, assisted by Hwang In-Beom .

How many players are in South Korea's World Cup 2026 squad?

Coach Myung-Bo Hong named a 26-player squad, announced on May 16, 2026. The roster draws from clubs across Europe and the K League, with key players at Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern München, Feyenoord, and Los Angeles FC.

Who is South Korea's top scorer heading into the World Cup?

Son Heung-Min leads with 10 national-team goals in the last 12 months across 20 appearances. He is two goals short of South Korea's all-time scoring record . Oh Hyeon-Gyu is close behind with 7 NT goals in 15 appearances over the same period (as of June 12, 2026).

When is South Korea's next World Cup 2026 match?

South Korea face Mexico on June 18 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan . A win would likely seal top spot in Group A. Their final group match is against South Africa on June 24 at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe.

See the projected squad
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