South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday, June 11, with Oh Hyeon-Gyu’s 80th-minute winner completing a second-half comeback after Hwang In-Beom had canceled out Ladislav Krejčí’s 59th-minute opener in Guadalajara.

After a goalless first half, the fixture opened up dramatically after the interval. Czechia struck first on 59 minutes when Ladislav Krejčí rose to head home and put his side in front, rewarding a disciplined display that had frustrated South Korea for much of the opening hour.

South Korea, though, had carried the greater share of possession throughout and gradually turned that territorial control into clearer chances. Their equalizer arrived on 67 minutes through Hwang In-Beom, whose finish brought the match level at 1-1 and shifted the momentum decisively toward the Asian side.

From there, South Korea looked the more assertive team in possession and the more purposeful side in the final third. They finished with 61.7 percent of the ball, 15 total shots and six efforts on target, compared with Czechia’s eight shots and four on target. That pressure told again on 80 minutes, when substitute Oh Hyeon-Gyu found the decisive goal to complete the turnaround and secure all three points.

Tactically, this was a match in which South Korea’s midfield control eventually wore Czechia down. Hwang In-Beom was central to that shift, helping his side circulate the ball with more speed in the second half and arriving with perfect timing for the equalizer. Czechia remained a threat from set-piece situations and direct deliveries, which was reflected in Krejčí’s headed goal, but they spent long stretches without enough possession to ease the pressure.

Key performers

Hwang In-Beom was the standout figure, not only for his 67th-minute goal but also for the authority he gave South Korea in midfield as they chased the result. Oh Hyeon-Gyu made a major impact from the bench with the 80th-minute winner, while Krejčí’s 59th-minute header briefly put Czechia in control and underlined his aerial presence.

NerdSports Stat: South Korea scored twice in a 13-minute span from 67′ to 80′, turning 61.7 percent possession and 15 shots into a comeback victory after trailing with just over 30 minutes left.

This result gives South Korea an important three-point start in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and could prove significant in the early table picture as the group begins to take shape. Czechia will take some encouragement from their organization and set-piece threat, but they now head into the next fixture needing a response after letting a second-half lead slip away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored in South Korea vs Czechia?

Ladislav Krejčí (59′) scored for Czechia. Hwang In-Beom (67′) and Oh Hyeon-Gyu (80′) scored for South Korea.

What was the final score?

South Korea 2 – 1 Czechia.

What does this result mean for the table?

South Korea take three valuable points in the early FIFA World Cup 2026 standings, while Czechia are left needing a result in their next fixture to recover ground.

Who was the man of the match?

Hwang In-Beom was the standout performer with a 67th-minute equalizer and a strong midfield display that helped drive South Korea’s comeback.