South Korea’s Hwang Hee-chan in motion with Czech Republic’s Stepan Chaloupek throughout Fifa World Cup 2026 Group A match between South Korea vs Czech Republic in – Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara on June 11, 2026. — Reuters
South Korea rallied from a aim all the way down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and make a successful begin to their World Cup Group A marketing campaign, a lot to the delight of their followers and the sizeable native Mexican assist they loved in a festive Guadalajara on Thursday.
The Koreans joined Mexico on three factors on the prime of the pool after the co-hosts defeated nine-man South Africa 2-0 within the match opener in Mexico Metropolis.
Ladislav Krejci put the Czechs forward with a advantageous header because the European facet dominated within the air, however Hwang In-beom equalised shortly afterwards and turned supplier for substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu’s winner.
Oh had come on for the misfiring Son Heung-min, who had 5 probabilities within the first half alone however endured an off-day in entrance of aim and continues to be two objectives shy of the all-time scoring document for the facet, failing so as to add to his 56 strikes.
South Korea subsequent face Mexico on June 18 and the Czechs journey to Atlanta to satisfy South Africa on the identical day.
There have been noticeable areas of empty seats within the stadium, however the overwhelming majority of the 44,985 in attendance have been firmly behind the Koreans.
It was a sport of contrasting kinds, the technical high quality and passing vary of the Koreans versus the brute energy and direct fashion of the Czechs.
The primary half was goalless however the sport sprang to life within the second interval and it was the Czechs who took the lead after 59 minutes when Krejci rose highest to move house from an extended throw by Vladimir Coufal.
South Korea have been stage eight minutes later and it was a advantageous aim too. Lee Kang-in’s wonderful by ball created the taking pictures alternative for Hwang In-beom and he minimize inside earlier than curling a right-footed shot low into the far nook.
Korea have been undone by a set-piece once more when Thomas Soucek headed in a free kick, however the flag was raised for offside because the Czechs’ first sport on the World Cup in 20 years led to defeat.
