Korea Republic vs Czechia: Late Winner Seals Opening Victory

Korea Republic vs Czechia produced one of the most entertaining matches of the opening round as South Korea earned a hard-fought 2-1 win in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Playing at Guadalajara Stadium on June 12, Korea Republic showed resilience and attacking quality to overturn a deficit and begin its World Cup campaign with an important three points.

Korea Republic vs Czechia: First Half Ends Goalless

The opening half was closely contested. Both teams created chances but struggled to find a breakthrough.

Korea Republic enjoyed more possession and controlled much of the midfield. Czechia, meanwhile, remained organized and looked dangerous on counterattacks and set pieces.

Despite several attempts, neither side managed to score before halftime.

Czechia Strikes First

The deadlock finally ended in the 59th minute when Ladislav Krejci scored for Czechia.

The goal gave Czechia momentum and briefly put South Korea under pressure. However, Korea Republic responded positively and pushed forward in search of an equalizer.

As a result, the match became increasingly open with both teams looking for crucial goals.

Hwang Inbeom Leads the Comeback

Korea Republic found its equalizer in the 67th minute through Hwang Inbeom.

The midfielder delivered an outstanding performance throughout the match. In addition to scoring, he controlled possession and dictated the tempo from midfield.

His goal restored confidence for South Korea and shifted momentum firmly in their favor.

Furthermore, Korea Republic continued to attack while Czechia struggled to regain control of the game.

Oh Hyeongyu Scores the Winning Goal

The decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute when Oh Hyeongyu found the back of the net.

His well-taken finish completed the comeback and sparked celebrations among the Korean supporters.

Although Czechia attempted a late response, Korea Republic defended effectively and protected its lead until the final whistle.

Consequently, the Asian side secured a valuable victory in its opening World Cup fixture.

Match Statistics

Korea Republic’s overall performance reflected its attacking intent and control of the match.

Key Stats

• Possession: 50% (Korea Republic) vs 40% (Czechia)
• Total Shots: 15 vs 6
• Shots on Target: 6 vs 4
• Passes Completed: 464 vs 242
• Corners: 4 vs 5
• Forced Turnovers: 29 vs 22

Additionally, South Korea completed significantly more passes and created more attacking opportunities throughout the contest.

Standout Performers

Hwang Inbeom

Hwang Inbeom was one of the best players on the field. He scored the equalizer, registered an assist, and completed 75 passes during the match.

Son Heung-min

The captain remained a constant attacking threat. He recorded six attempts on goal and helped create several dangerous opportunities.

Oh Hyeongyu

Oh Hyeongyu delivered the decisive contribution with the winning goal in the 80th minute.

What the Result Means

This victory gives Korea Republic an excellent start in Group A and strengthens its hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

Meanwhile, Czechia showed promising moments but left the match without points. The European side will now need a positive result in its next group-stage fixture to stay on track.

For Korea Republic, the comeback victory provides confidence and momentum as the tournament continues.