South Korea 2-1 Czechia: World Cup 2026 Group A Result

Final score: South Korea 2-1 Czechia

South Korea recovered from a slow start to beat Czechia 2-1 at Estadio Akron and finish opening day in Group A level on points with Mexico. Lukáš Krejčí gave the Europeans a second-half lead, but Hwang In-beom dragged the Taeguk Warriors level and substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu sealed a comeback win that felt unlikely at half-time.

How the goals happened

The first half belonged to neither side. South Korea had more of the ball and the clearer openings, but too many efforts came from distance rather than through the Czech block. Matěj Kovář was largely untroubled at the break.

Czechia broke the deadlock on 59 minutes when Lukáš Krejčí met a delivery from Vladimír Coufal and headed cleanly past Kim Seung-gyu. The goal came from a phase of direct play that punished South Korea for not converting their earlier pressure.

Hwang In-beom equalised eight minutes later, receiving from Lee Kang-in, turning onto his right foot and lifting the ball over the advancing Kovář. The move shifted the energy inside the stadium and forced Ivan Hašek's side back into a defensive shell.

Tomáš Souček appeared to put Czechia back in front from a free-kick in the 78th minute, but VAR spotted an offside and the goal was chalked off. South Korea capitalised almost immediately. Hwang crossed low from the right and Oh Hyeon-gyu finished from six yards for 2-1. Kim Seung-gyu then denied Adam Hložek in the 82nd minute to preserve the lead.

Match statistics

• Possession: South Korea 55%, Czechia 45%
• Shots on target: 5-3 at full time (1-0 at half-time)
• Expected goals: 1.4 - 1.1
• Duels won at HT: South Korea 24, Czechia 15
• Referee: Amin Omar (Malaysia)

Tactical read

Hong Myung-bo's team improved sharply after the interval. The introduction of Oh Hyeon-gyu added a target in the box that Czechia struggled to match physically once the game opened up. Patrik Schick was isolated for long spells and Czechia's best moments came from set pieces rather than sustained possession.

For Czechia, the disallowed Souček goal was the turning point. Momentum swung back to South Korea within minutes and Hašek will rue the missed chance to retake the lead when his side were still organised defensively.

Group A standings impact

South Korea and Mexico both have three points after Matchday 1. Mexico lead on goal difference (+2 vs +1). Czechia and South Africa are on zero points with one game played each in the Czech case. South Africa still have Mexico's 2-0 defeat to digest before facing Czechia.

Mexico against South Korea in Guadalajara is now the pivotal fixture in the group. A win for either side would put serious distance between them and the bottom two.

What to watch next

Son Heung-min was substituted before the winner and Hong will assess his fitness before the Mexico clash. Czechia must bounce back against South Africa or face an early exit in a group where every point counts toward the best third-place rankings across all twelve groups.