South Korea Stages Dramatic Comeback to Beat Czech Republic 2-1 in World Cup Opener

South Korea achieved a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, igniting passionate celebrations among fans gathered at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.

The national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, initially faced disappointment when Czech player Ladislav Krejčí scored in the 59th minute. The setback was met with visible disappointment from the thousands of citizens watching the live broadcast at the public square.

However, the South Korean squad mounted a strong comeback. Hwang In-beom equalized in the 67th minute, assisted by Lee Kang-in, before Oh Hyun-gyu scored the decisive winning goal in the 80th minute. This turnaround secured three crucial points for South Korea in their group stage campaign.

The atmosphere in Gwanghwamun Square transformed from concern to jubilation as the goals were scored. The crowd's cheers, initially subdued after conceding, swelled into a roar of victory, celebrating the team's resilience and dramatic win.