South Korea Stun Czechia 2-1 in FIFA World Cup 2026 Thriller Comeback

COLOMBO (News 1st); South Korea launched their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Czechia in a thrilling Group A encounter played at the Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.

After a cautious first half with limited clear-cut chances, the game burst into life following the break when Czechia took the lead in the 59th minute. Defender Ladislav Krejčí rose above the defence to head home from a set-piece, giving the European side an early advantage.

However, South Korea responded with urgency and composure. Midfielder Hwang In-beom restored parity in the 67th minute with a well-taken finish, shifting the momentum firmly in favour of his side.

The decisive moment came in the 80th minute, when substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu found the back of the net to complete a spirited turnaround. His clinical strike capped an impressive second-half performance and secured a memorable victory for Korea Republic.

South Korea dominated possession for much of the match and maintained consistent pressure after conceding, showing resilience and tactical discipline to overturn the deficit. The result places them level at the top of Group A alongside Mexico, who also registered a win in their opening match.

For Czechia, the defeat marks a disappointing return to the World Cup stage after a long absence, leaving them with little margin for error in their remaining group fixtures.