GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — In an exhilarating match at the 2026 World Cup, South Korea staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 on Thursday night. Hwang In-beom played a pivotal role, both scoring a goal and providing an assist, as South Korea secured its first victory in an opening World Cup match since defeating Greece in 2010.

The match began slowly, with neither team managing to assert its dominance in the first half. Fans expressed their dissatisfaction as both sides left the field scoreless at halftime. However, the dynamics shifted in the second half, notably after the Czech Republic took the lead in the 59th minute. Captain Ladislav Krejci scored with a powerful header following a long throw-in, putting the Czechs ahead.

South Korea, however, responded swiftly, equalizing in the 67th minute. Hwang In-beom displayed remarkable skill, faking a shot to evade two Czech defenders before driving the ball into the net. The midfielder, who currently plays for Feyenoord in the Dutch league, further contributed by providing a crucial cross from the right flank for Oh Hyeon-gyu, whose decisive strike in the 80th minute sealed the victory for South Korea.

The South Korean team, buoyed by the support of its fans, celebrated behind one of the goals following the final whistle. Coach Hong Myung-bo expressed his delight at the team's resilience, emphasizing that the win was a testament to their determination. "It was our first game and a very difficult one," he remarked. "The win itself makes me happy, but what’s even more positive is that our boys won by not giving up."

This victory marked a significant achievement for South Korea, as it emerged victorious against a European opponent in the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament, following wins over Portugal in 2022 and Germany in 2018. The team's control over possession and shooting opportunities was evident as they outpaced the Czech Republic, who were making their World Cup return after a 16-year hiatus.

Star forward Son Heung-min, representing South Korea in his fourth World Cup, aimed to become the nation's top goal scorer in the tournament's history. Despite creating several opportunities, including a close-range shot that was saved and another that went wide, Son was unable to add to his tally of three World Cup goals prior to this match.

The Czechs nearly reclaimed the lead in the 77th minute when Tomas Soucek's header was ruled offside. Post-match, Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek acknowledged South Korea's superiority but also pointed out missed opportunities that could have influenced the game. "We played very well; it could have been a draw and we could have won as well," he commented.

The match took place at the Guadalajara Stadium, with an announced attendance of 44,985 in a venue that holds 45,664 spectators. Despite the sizeable crowd, numerous empty seats were visible, particularly in the middle sections of the stands. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among the attendees, highlighting the significance of the event.

South Korea now gears up for its next matches in the tournament, building on this important win. The nation holds the record for the most World Cup appearances among Asian teams, with this being their 11th consecutive participation, and they remain optimistic about advancing beyond the round of 16, a feat they have not achieved since their impressive fourth-place finish in the 2002 tournament co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

In another match from Group A on the same day, co-host Mexico secured a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament opener held in Mexico City.