South Korea stages comeback to beat Czech Republic 2-1 in World Cup qualifier

South Korea secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening match of the 2026 North-Central American World Cup qualifiers. The Taeguk Warriors, after falling behind, mounted a spirited comeback thanks to crucial goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyun-gyu.

Trailing 1-0 in the second half, South Korea found their equalizer through Hwang In-beom, who scored a clever goal to bring the team level. The momentum shifted, and the team pressed for a winner. The decisive moment came when Oh Hyun-gyu, who had been substituted into the game, netted the go-ahead goal from a sharp cross. This marked his World Cup debut goal, capping off a significant performance from the bench.

The match, held at the Guadalajara Stadium in Sapopan, Mexico, saw both teams battle intensely. Son Heung-min was active throughout, challenging the Czech defense. The victory provides a vital three points for South Korea as they begin their World Cup campaign, setting a positive tone for their upcoming matches.