South Korea Roar Back to Sink Czechia 2-1 at the World Cup
Updated 17 June 2026.
South Korea vs Czechia at World Cup 2026 finished 2-1 to South Korea, who came from behind to win their Group A opener with second-half goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu at the Estadio Akron. Ladislav Krejci had put Czechia ahead just before the hour, but South Korea responded fast and turned the game around inside 13 minutes to claim a valuable three points.
| Match facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | South Korea 2-1 Czechia |
| Competition | World Cup 2026, Group A |
| Venue | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
| Scorers | Hwang In-beom 67′, Oh Hyeon-gyu 80′ (KOR); Krejci 59′ (CZE) |
How South Korea came from behind
Czechia took the lead on 59 minutes through Ladislav Krejci and, for a short while, looked set to upset the group’s other seeded side. South Korea’s response was emphatic. Hwang In-beom levelled on 67 minutes, and Oh Hyeon-gyu completed the turnaround on 80 to send the Koreans top of Group A alongside hosts Mexico.
It was the kind of resilient, fast-tempo performance South Korea have built their reputation on, refusing to panic after falling behind and punishing Czechia in a decisive 13-minute spell.
What it means for Group A
The win left South Korea level on three points with Mexico at the top of Group A, with Czechia and South Africa both pointless after the opening round. In the 48-team format, that early platform matters. Track the group on our standings page.
What is next
Both sides return to Group A action, with kick-offs on our fixtures page and goals live on live scores. This match opened the tournament alongside the host’s win; see our World Cup 2026 June 11 round-up and the complete World Cup 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in South Korea vs Czechia?
South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in their World Cup 2026 Group A opener on 11 June at the Estadio Akron, coming from behind with goals from Hwang In-beom (67′) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (80′).
Who scored for South Korea against Czechia?
Hwang In-beom equalised on 67 minutes and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner on 80, after Ladislav Krejci had put Czechia ahead on 59.
Source: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A.
