GUADALAJARA, Mexico — In a gripping encounter, South Korea edged past the Czech Republic with a 2-1 victory in the second leg of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night, thanks to a pivotal performance from Hwang In-beom, who not only scored but also provided the assist for the winning goal.
The match commenced with a tepid first half that drew jeers from the crowd, culminating in both teams receiving red cards. The dynamic shifted in the 59th minute when Czech Republic captain Ladislav Krejci propelled his team into the lead, scoring a powerful header following a long throw-in that landed in the penalty area.
However, South Korea responded fiercely, leveling the score in the 67th minute. Hwang, showcasing exceptional skill, feigned a shot to evade two defenders before netting the equalizer. As the game approached its climax, he delivered a precise cross from the right flank, facilitating Oh Hyun-kyu’s decisive shot in the 80th minute, sealing the victory for South Korea.
Highlights from a Hard-Fought Match
Coaching the team, Hong Myung-bo acknowledged the challenges of the opening match, emphasizing the importance of resilience. He expressed satisfaction with the win, noting that he urged his players to maintain their momentum even after equalizing, believing wholeheartedly in their potential to secure victory.
This win marked a significant milestone for South Korea, representing their first triumph in a World Cup opener since defeating Greece in South Africa in 2010. It also extended their winning streak to three consecutive matches against European teams in World Cup history, following victories over Portugal in 2022 and Germany in 2018.
After the game, the Korean national team celebrated with their supporters behind the goal, creating an uplifting atmosphere. Players posed for photos, fully acknowledging the pivotal role of their fans in the historic win.
Star forward Son Heung-min led South Korea’s commanding performance, dominating possession and generating numerous scoring opportunities against the Czech Republic, who were participating in their first World Cup since 2006. Although they were ranked 25th in FIFA standings compared to the Czech Republic’s 38th, South Korea struggled to convert early chances into goals.
Son aimed to solidify his place as South Korea’s all-time top scorer in World Cup history and become the highest-scoring Asian player in the tournament. The 33-year-old, who currently plays for LAFC after a notable career at Tottenham, entered the match having netted three goals across his last three World Cups.
Despite having several opportunities to extend his tally, Son missed the target in the first half, and a close-range effort was saved in the second half. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic thought they had regained the lead in the 77th minute with a set-piece goal, but Tomáš Soucek’s header was disallowed for offside.
Reflections on the Match
Czech coach Miroslav Koubek remarked on the match’s competitiveness, suggesting that the superior team ultimately triumphed. Yet, he conveyed that his players could have achieved a more favorable result had they minimized certain missteps throughout the match.
The Guadalajara Stadium, which holds a capacity of 45,664, recorded an attendance of 44,985, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, the stadium featured numerous empty seats, particularly in the central stands.
With this victory, South Korea has now participated in 11 consecutive World Cups, totaling 12 overall, the most for any Asian country. Their pinnacle achievement remains the fourth-place finish in the 2002 tournament co-hosted with Japan. Since then, South Korea has yet to progress beyond the Round of 16.
In a parallel Group A match, co-hosts Mexico secured a solid 2-0 win against South Africa in the tournament’s opening game held in Mexico City.
