South Korea Stuns Czechia With Late Comeback in World Cup Opener

South Korea produced a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Czechia in Guadalajara on Monday, turning the Group A match around in 13 second-half minutes. The result came after Mexico had opened the 2026 World Cup group with a 2-0 win over South Africa, setting up a tense second game in the section.

The first half ended scoreless, but Czechia struck in the 59th minute when Vladimir Coufal took a throw-in from the right and captain Ladislav Krejci headed in the opener. South Korea responded immediately with three substitutions, and in the 67th minute Lee Kang-in set up Wang In-bum, who beat goalkeeper Matej Kovar and finished calmly to level the score.

Czechia thought it had gone back in front in the 77th minute when Tomas Soucek headed home from a free kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Three minutes later, Wang In-bum collected a pass from Paik Seung-ho, crossed the ball, and substitute Oh Yun-gyu scored the winner. Son Heung-min, making his fourth World Cup start, was replaced in the 69th minute, and the switch paid off quickly.

Wang finished with a goal and an assist, while goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu preserved the lead with key late saves from Adam Hlozek. South Korea now sits in a strong position to qualify, and its next match is against host Mexico in the overnight fixture between Thursday and Friday next week. The match was officiated by Amin Muhammad Omar of Egypt at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.