Hong Myung-bo's Team Secures 2-1 Comeback Win Against Czech Republic, First Opening Match Victory in 16 Years

 
Hong Myung-bo's squad secured a thrilling comeback victory against the Czech Republic in their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thanks to consecutive second-half goals from Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Beşiktaş).

The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in the Group A opener held at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 12 (Korea Standard Time).

South Korea conceded the first goal to Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton) in the 14th minute of the second half, but rallied to claim three points with an equalizer from Hwang In-beom in the 22nd minute—assisted by Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain)—and a go-ahead goal from Oh Hyeon-gyu in the 35th minute.

Hwang In-beom also provided the assist for Oh Hyeon-gyu's goal, recording multiple attacking points in the match.

Having won the crucial opening match, Hong Myung-bo's team (3 points) begins its group stage campaign in second place, trailing Mexico, which defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament's opening game.

This marks the fourth time in history, and the first time in 16 years, that South Korea has won its opening match in a World Cup group stage.

South Korea, which has reached the World Cup finals 12 times, previously secured opening match victories at the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament (2-0 against Poland), the 2006 Germany tournament (2-1 against Togo), and the 2010 South Africa tournament (2-0 against Greece).

With this result, South Korea has leveled its all-time record against the Czech Republic at 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.

This was the first time the two nations have faced each other on the World Cup stage.

South Korea is aiming for its third overall appearance in the World Cup Round of 16 on foreign soil, following the South Africa 2010 and Qatar 2022 tournaments.

The Czech Republic, which finished as runners-up in the 1934 Italy and 1962 Chile tournaments, returned to the World Cup finals for the first time in 20 years since the Germany tournament.

South Korea will continue its group stage campaign with the second match against Mexico at the same venue on June 19 at 10:00 a.m., followed by the third match against South Africa at Monterrey Stadium on June 25 at 10:00 a.m.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.