Striker Oh Hyeon-gyu runs to celebrate after scoring a goal during the World Cup group match between Korea and the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 11.KANG JUNG-HYUN
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Korea rallied from a goal down to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday, securing the side's first victory in a World Cup opener in 16 years.
The victory gave Korea a strong start in the expanded 48-team tournament and boosted the chances of advancing from the group stage. With host Mexico also starting with a win, the Taeguk Warriors now head into a crucial Group A clash with the co-hosts next week.
Manager Hong Myung-bo deployed three at the back with two wingbacks supporting a three-man midfield, a formation he has been refining since last summer, with Lee Gi-hyuk, Kim Min-jae and Lee Han-beom in front of goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. Lee Tae-seok and Seol Young-woo operated on the flanks.
Hwang In-beom and Paik Seung-ho anchored the midfield, while captain Son Heung-min started up top, supported by Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kang-in on the wings.
The Czech Republic were led by Patrik Schick up top, while Tomas Soucek marshaled the center of the park and captain Ladislav Krejci started on the left side of a three-man defense.
After a slow start, Son nearly opened the scoring in the 40th minute after dribbling forward and unleashing a left-footed strike from distance, but the effort drifted just wide of the post.
Korea controlled much of the first half, outshooting the Czech Republic 8-2, including a 1-0 edge in shots on target.
Midfielder Hwang In-beom, left, scores an equalizer during the second half of Korea's Group A opener against the Czech Republic at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 11.YONHAP
The Czech Republic found the breakthrough in the second half after Krejci got his head on the end of a long throw-in in the 59th minute.
However, the Taeguk Warriors didn't have to wait long for an equalizer.
Hwang latched onto a through ball from Lee Kang-in and calmly cut inside to wrong-foot both a defender and the goalkeeper and delicately chipped the ball into the net with his right foot eight minutes later.
Midfielder Hwang In-beom, second from left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup Group A match between Korea and the Czech Republic in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 11.AP/YONHAP
Korea completed the comeback in the 80th minute, with Hwang reining in a through ball from Paik to deliver a cross from the right side that substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu converted from close range.
Oh's goal capped a remarkable performance after the striker reportedly played despite running a fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) before the match.
The Czech Republic appeared to have equalized in the 77th minute when Soucek headed home from a set piece, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Korea's netminder, Kim, then preserved Korea's lead with two outstanding saves late in the match.
Son Heung-min, left, takes a shot during Korea's World Cup Group A match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 11.AP/YONHAP
Korea's gamble on altitude acclimatization also appeared to pay off.
The match venue, Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, is at an elevation of about 1,570 meters (5,150 feet) above sea level. The Warriors spent nearly 20 days preparing for high-altitude conditions during their training camp in the United States. The Czech Republic, however, arrived in Guadalajara only a day before the match after training in an undisclosed location in the United States leading up to the game.
The Korean men's national football team players huddle before the kickoff of the World Cup Group A match between Korea and the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 11.AP/YONHAP
The victory marked Korea's first in a World Cup opener since defeating Greece at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
With the win, the Warriors are now in second in Group A, with Mexico ahead on goal difference after defeating South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City. The two sides will play each other at the same venue next Thursday.
The expanded 48-team tournament allows two teams from each group to advance to the round of 32, with the eight best third-placed teams also qualifying. Korea are aiming to finish among the top two teams in the group to secure a more favorable knockout-stage path.
Fans take part in the Mexican wave at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, during the World Cup match between Korea and the Czech Republic on June 11.REUTERS/YONHAP
Korea also enjoyed support from local fans. Mexican spectators could be heard chanting "Corea," Spanish for “Korea,” during the fourth and 11th minutes of the first half.
Many Mexican fans retain fond memories of Korea's dramatic victory over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia that helped Mexico advance to the round of 16. The game eight years ago earned Korea — and Son in particular — a special place in the hearts of many Mexican fans.
Stuck at work or school when Korea kick off? We've got you covered. The Korea JoongAng Daily is live-blogging every Korea match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, around the clock. Don't miss a moment.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
