South Korea Vs Czechia, FIFA World Cup 2026: Taegeuk Warriors Beat Repre Ahead Of Massive Mexico Clash
South Korea kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Czechia at the Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron) on Thursday (June 11). Despite dominating the proceedings, especially with captain Son Heung-min in full flow, the Taegeuk Warriors conceded the first goal as Ladislav Krejci connected a brilliant header from a long throw in the 59th minute. But the Asian giants hit back immediately with In-Beom Hwang producing a beauty of a curler (67'), then the 29-year-old set up Hyeon-Gyu Oh for the eventual winner in the 80th. Moments ago, Tomas Soucek's header was chalked off for offside. Co-hosts Mexico, who beat South Africa 2-1 in the opener, now lead Group A on goal difference. The Koreans will stay put to take on Mexico, while Czechia will cross the border to meet South Africa in Atlanta, both matches scheduled for next Thursday.
South Korean fans react ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026 (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Fans react ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026 (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A fan reacts ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026 (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
South Korea starting eleven pose before the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026 (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Members of the Czechia team pose for a photo before the World Cup Group A soccer match against South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026 (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
A general view ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Moises Castillo
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, centre, reacts during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
Czechia's Lukas Provod, left, battles against South Korea's Lee Han-beom during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa
South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo gestures during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
Czechia's Pavel Sulc (15) changes his jersey in the first half during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Moises Castillo
South Korea's Son Heung-min, right, controls the ball against Czechia's Pavel Sulc in the first half during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Moises Castillo
Czechia head coach Miroslav Koubek gestures to his players during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
South Korea's Son Heung-min, left, shoots on goal against Czechia's Ladislav Krejci during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Moises Castillo
Mascots react ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
Czechia fans cheer before the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Moises Castillo
Players compete to head the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A football match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
South Korea's Son Heung-min reacts during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match against Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa
South Korea's Lee Han-beom attempts to control the ball during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match against Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
Korean fans cheer for their team as they watch a live public broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match between South Korea and Czechia in Mexico, at a public viewing venue in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, June 12, 2026. AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
Czechia's Ladislav Krejci celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match against South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu fails to stop a goal from Czechia's Ladislav Krejci, not pictured, during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
Czechia's Ladislav Krejci, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match against South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
South Korea's Hwang In-beom celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Czechia during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
South Korea's Hwang In-beom, right, curls to beat Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovar during their World Cup 2026, Group A match in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Moises Castillo
Moments after a disallowed goal for Czechia, Oh Hyeon-gyu gave South Korea the lead from a brilliant team move during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
Oh Hyeon-gyu acknowledges the pass after scoring South Korea's second goal against Czechia during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matias Delacroix
South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu dives to make a decisive save during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match against Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
South Korean players celebrate after defeating Czechia in their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
For the record, 44,985 attended the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
South Korea players gather after their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A match against Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. They won 2-1. AP Photo/Moises Castillo
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