Hwang In-beom scored and assisted as South Korea rallied from a 59th-minute deficit to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in the second match of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday in Guadalajara.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Thursday night at Guadalajara Stadium felt like it belonged to a crowd that never fully arrived. Both teams were jeered as they left the field after a lackluster first half. and the stands. according to the announced numbers. never quite filled in the way a World Cup stage is supposed to.
Then the game shifted.
The Czech Republic took the lead in the 59th minute when captain Ladislav Krejci rose for a header after a long throw-in sent the ball into South Korea’s penalty area. For much of the match. though. the pattern looked familiar: South Korea controlled the ball. the Czechs defended in organized bursts. and meaningful chances began to accumulate without turning into goals.
South Korea’s equalizer arrived in the 67th minute. Hwang In-beom scored after faking a shot with a quick move that cleared two Czech players. A few minutes later, he helped turn possession into the decisive moment again, making the cross from the right flank for Oh Hyeon-gyu’s strike in the 80th.
The context around the result added pressure rather than relief. South Korea. ranked 25th by FIFA. had most of the significant scoring chances against the Czech Republic. ranked 38th and appearing in its first World Cup since 2006. The Koreans had star forward Son Heung-min leading the charge. and despite their late surge. they failed to capitalize early when chances first came their way.
On the day itself, the atmosphere was stark. The announced attendance was 44,985 at the 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium, with sections in the middle of the stands carrying many unoccupied seats and other empty seats scattered across the venue.
In the other Group A match on Thursday, co-host Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener in Mexico City.
For South Korea, the comeback win closed a tense night with momentum that mattered immediately. For the Czech Republic. the scoreline landed after a lead that arrived on a well-executed set piece—only to be answered by a player who could change a game with one feint. one cross. and enough confidence to keep pushing when the first half never found its rhythm.
Hwang In-beom South Korea Czech Republic 2026 World Cup Guadalajara Stadium Ladislav Krejci Oh Hyeon-gyu Son Heung-min Group A