Hwang In‑Beom scored and assisted as South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1 in Guadalajara, earning their first opening‑round World Cup win since 2010.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico Hwang In‑Beom scored and set up the winner as South Korea rallied to beat Czechia 2-1 in Group A on Thursday night, earning the nation its first World Cup opening‑round victory since 2010. The match at Guadalajara Stadium drew an announced crowd of 44,985 but left hundreds of empty seats visible across the stands.
Czechia struck first in the 59th minute when captain Ladislav Krejčí headed home from a long throw‑in, after a first half in which both teams drew boos from the crowd. South Korea responded in the 67th when Hwang fooled two defenders with a feint before finishing to level the score. Hwang then supplied the decisive cross from the right flank for Oh Hyeon‑gyu’s strike in the 80th minute.
“It was our first game and a very difficult one,” South Korea coach Hong Myung‑bo said. “The win itself makes me happy, but what’s even more positive is that our boys won by not giving up.” South Korea celebrated with fans behind one goal following the final whistle and posed for photos with supporters.
South Korea, ranked 25th by FIFA, controlled possession and outshot 38th‑ranked Czechia, creating the clearest scoring chances despite a slow start. Son Heung‑min, appearing in his fourth World Cup and seeking to become South Korea’s top World Cup scorer, had chances in both halves but was denied by misses and a close‑range save. Czechia nearly regained the lead in the 77th when Tomáš Souček headed in, but the goal was ruled offside. Czech coach Miroslav Koubek lamented some errors but conceded, “Probably the better team won.”
The victory continues a recent streak of South Korean wins over European opponents at World Cups, following wins over Portugal in 2022 and Germany in 2018. South Korea making its 11th consecutive World Cup appearance and 12th overall, the most of any Asian nation will aim to build momentum as the tournament progresses. In Group A’s other match Thursday, co‑host Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City.
