South Korea's Late Surge Secures Dramatic World Cup Victory
WHO:
Sportskeeda - Son Heung-min has made history by becoming only the second player to represent South Korea in the FIFA World Cup.
AP News - South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo stated, “It was our first game and a very difficult one. The win itself makes me happy, but what’s even more positive is that our boys won by not giving up."
AP News - Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek said, “probably the better team won,” and noted that his team could have had a better outcome if it weren’t for “some mistakes.”
Sportskeeda - Hwang In-beom, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Son Heung-min
Daily Mail Sports - Hwang In-beom, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Ladislav Krejci
WHAT:
AP News - South Korea's win against the Czech Republic was their first opening World Cup win since it beat Greece in 2010 in South Africa.
AP News - South Korea has beaten a European opponent in the tournament for a third straight time, following wins over Portugal in 2022 and Germany in 2018.
Fox News - South Korea currently sits second in Group A due to goal differential after their win against Czechia.
AP News - Hwang In-beom scored a goal and provided an assist in the match.
AP News - The announced attendance for the match was 44,985 at the 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium.
Sportskeeda - South Korea won 2-1 against Czechia in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A opener.
Daily Mail Sports - Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the late winner for South Korea.
Daily Mail Sports - Ladislav Krejci scored the opening goal for Czechia early in the second half.
WHERE:
Sportskeeda - The match took place at Estadio Guadal in Guadalajara.
WHEN:
Fox News - South Korea will meet Mexico in their next match on Thursday.
Sportskeeda - The match was part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
WHY:
Fox News - Czechia's coach Miroslav Koubek stated, “We played very well, it could have been a draw and we could have won as well.”
Sportskeeda - Fans were in awe of Hwang In-beom's performance, particularly his chipped finish that contributed to the comeback.
HOW:
Fox News - South Korea controlled possession and outshot the Czechs, who were making their first World Cup appearance since 2006.
AP News - Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer in the 67th minute after faking a shot to clear two Czech players.
Sportskeeda - South Korea completed a comeback after being down 1-0, with contributions from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu.
(UPDATED June 12, 2026 16:00 UTC)
Son Heung-min has made history by becoming only the second player to represent South Korea in the FIFA World Cup. In an exciting match, South Korea secured its first opening World Cup win since 2010 by defeating the Czech Republic, marking their third consecutive victory over a European opponent in the tournament. The team will face Mexico in their next match on Thursday, while Czechia's coach Miroslav Koubek noted that his side played well and could have come away with a draw or even a win.
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(UPDATED June 12, 2026 08:22 UTC)
In a thrilling match at Guadalajara Stadium, South Korea secured a victory against the Czech Republic, with Hwang In-beom playing a pivotal role by scoring the equalizer in the 67th minute after skillfully faking a shot. South Korea's coach, Hong Myung-bo, expressed his happiness with the win, emphasizing the determination of his players, while Czech Republic's coach, Miroslav Koubek, acknowledged that "probably the better team won," citing mistakes that affected his team's performance. The match drew an impressive crowd of 44,985 fans, filling the stadium to nearly its full capacity of 45,664.
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(UPDATED June 12, 2026 06:32 UTC)
In an exciting opener for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Korea triumphed over Czechia with a score of 2-1 at Estadio Guadal in Guadalajara. After Czechia took the lead with an early goal from Ladislav Krejci in the second half, South Korea rallied back, with Oh Hyeon-gyu scoring the late winner and Hwang In-beom delivering a standout performance that included a remarkable chipped finish. Fans were thrilled by the team's comeback, showcasing their resilience and skill on the world stage.