South Korea came from a goal down to edge Czech Republic 2–1 in their 2026 World Cup opener on Friday. That was the first competitive meeting between the two teams. All three of their previous encounters (all friendlies) ended in thrillers. The most recent of those was a 2–1 victory for South Korea in 2016.
After back-to-back defeats against Ivory Coast and Austria, South Korea headed into this World Cup with two wins in a row against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador. However, Czech Republic, sitting 15 places below them in the world rankings proved to be a tough nut for them to crack.
Miroslav Koubek’s charges headed into last night’s contest off the back six consecutive wins, including shoot-out victories in UEFA qualifiers against Ireland and Denmark. They passed as slight favourites against the South Koreans, but it turned out a disappointing start for Repre.
South Korea got off to a strong start in the game and were looking set to land the first punch with Czech Republic largely dropping deep as the pressure mounted.
Lee Kang-in initiated the first dangerous charge in the 15th minute, floating a brilliant pass into the Czech Republic box to Lee Jae-sung, who beat his marker and laid it on a platter for Heung-min Son.
The former Tottenham Hotspur sensation, Son, needed just a quick and pinpoint effort to crash it into the net, but had his effort deflected off a Czech Republic defender for a corner kick.
Son’s miss happened to be the biggest chance of the game for both teams in the first half. However, the game wasn’t bereft of inside-box scrambles with both teams coming close on a couple of occasions, but a lack of precision in the final third made it all count for little.
One such moment came five minutes before the break when Son had another great chance to finally put South Korea ahead. The MLS star had got the ball on a platter after Czech Republic’s gross error in their own half but ended up blowing it wide off target. With both teams found wanting in the finishing, it was no surprise the first half ended goalless.
Czech Republic got the first big chance in the second half just three minutes into the restart by forcing South Korea to concede an early corner after the latter came under pressure on the left flank.
Vladimir Coufal curled that corner dangerously towards the near post but the South Korean defence was equal to the task, clearing it promptly before the opponents attempted to convert.
Eight minutes later, the Czech Republic found themselves under a serious attacking threat after South Korea successfully split open their defense. Lee Jae-sung had feigned a touch of Paik Seung-ho’s brilliant pass, leaving it for Son, who then charged into the box and had only the Czech goalkeeper Matěj Kovář to beat, but his attempt was saved gallantly.
Four minutes after that big miss by Son, South Korea got punished with the curtain-raiser against the run of play. Ladislav Krejčí opened the scoring for the European side after he beat the South Korean defense to score a brilliant header from Coufal’s long throw into the box.
Krejci’s opener sparked a dramatic and more intense response by South Korea, who ramped up their attack to find the equalizer. It wasn’t long before the Tigers of Asia recorded a breakthrough, scoring nine minutes after conceding.
Midfielder Hwang In-beom netted the equalizer, beating both the Czech goalkeeper and a defender to slot home a composed finish from Lee Kang-in’s pass.
After the leveller, Czech Republic came off their low block and stepped up their attack, but that left them more vulnerable when South Korea charged forward.
10 minutes before regulation, they conceded again. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu timed his run and slotted home Hwang In-beom’s cross, completing the comeback for the South Koreans.
That result has seen South Korea move to second in Group A, level on three points with group leaders Mexico, who thrashed South Africa 3–0 in the opening fixture.
Hong Myung-bo’s side will trade tackles with Mexico next on Friday in a match that could decide who wins the group, while Czech Republic will look to bounce back against South Africa.
Video Highlights
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