South Korea vs Czech Republic
South Korea fell behind in Zapopan, then scored twice to win their opener and send 44,985 fans home happy.
How the match went
The first half was tense and goalless, with both teams careful not to give anything away.
The Czech Republic struck first through Krejčí in the 59th minute, and South Korea suddenly had work to do.
But South Korea did not let their heads drop.
Hwang In-beom leveled the game in the 67th minute and brought the momentum back.
Then Oh Hyeon-gyu found the winner in the 80th minute to turn the night around.
It took real character to come from behind in a game like this.
South Korea start their World Cup with 3 points and a lot of belief.
Key moments
- ⚽ 59' Krejčí (Czech Republic)
- ⚽ 67' Hwang In-beom (South Korea)
- ⚽ 80' Oh Hyeon-gyu (South Korea)
Goals in the order they were scored.
Match highlights
Watch on YouTube- Date
- Thursday, June 11
- Kickoff Time
- 20:00 (Mexico City time)
- Stage
- Group stage, Group A
- Stadium
- Estadio Akron, Zapopan
- Attendance
- 44,985
- Referee
- Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)
What's next for South Korea?
Next up is Mexico on June 18, and it is a big test.
Mexico won their opener 2-0, so South Korea will need the same fight again.
What's next for Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic play South Africa on June 18.
South Africa also lost their opener 0-2, so this one feels close to must-win for both sides.
Common questions
When and where was South Korea vs Czech Republic played?
The game was played on June 11, 2026 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan. The crowd was 44,985. It was a Group A match.
What was the final score?
South Korea won 2-1. The first half ended 0-0, and all 3 goals came in the second half.
Who scored in the match?
Krejčí scored first for Czech Republic in the 59th minute. Hwang In-beom equalised for South Korea, then Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner. Both South Korea goals came in the second half.
How did South Korea win after going behind?
Czech Republic led 1-0 with about 30 minutes left. South Korea scored twice, in the 67th and 80th minutes, to turn the game around.
Who do these teams play next?
South Korea play Mexico on June 18, and Czech Republic play South Africa the same day. Both of those games are in Group A.