South Korea Secures Dramatic 2-1 Comeback Victory Over Czech Republic in World Cup Opener

South Korea staged a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a performance defined by resilience, the Asian powerhouse overturned a goal deficit to secure all three points, marking their first victory in a World Cup opening fixture in four attempts. The win provides a significant boost to South Korea's campaign as they look to progress through the group stages, while the Czech Republic is left to rue a missed opportunity after holding a lead deep into the match.

Despite South Korea dominating the possession and pace throughout the first half, they were unable to find the back of the net before the break. The match took an unexpected turn in the 59th minute when Czech Republic captain Ladislav Krejci broke the deadlock, putting his side ahead against the run of play. However, South Korea responded with urgency, and their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Hwang In-beom clinical strike brought the teams level, shifting the momentum back in favor of the Taeguk Warriors.

The decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute when substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu capitalized on a scoring opportunity to slot home a tap-in, sending the South Korean supporters into a frenzy. The closing stages of the match were not without drama, as the Czech Republic thought they had secured a late equalizer, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu also played a pivotal role in the victory, pulling off several crucial saves to preserve the narrow lead during the final minutes of high-pressure play.

The high-stakes encounter was attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, highlighting the global significance of the match. While the action on the pitch was widely praised, the event was not without some controversy, as reports emerged regarding local criticism of ticket pricing for the tournament. Looking ahead, this victory sets a positive tone for South Korea's tournament aspirations, providing them with critical momentum as they prepare for their upcoming group stage fixtures, while the Czech Republic must now regroup to keep their qualification hopes alive.