Note: it appears the match may still be in progress or just finishing up based on the search results. I have enough detail to write a thorough article. Here it is:

South Korea 2, Czechia 1 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico | June 11, 2026

Oh Hyeon-gyu’s Late Strike Sends South Korea Top of Group A

In a thrilling conclusion to the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Korea came from behind to defeat Czechia 2-1 at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu delivering the decisive blow in the second half to send the Taegeuk Warriors to the top of Group A.

It was a match that had everything. Quality football, a stunning equalizer, a disallowed Czechia goal that would have turned the tie on its head, and a goalkeeper heroic save deep into stoppage time that preserved South Korea’s lead until the final whistle.

The First Half

South Korea entered the match as clear favorites, having gone unbeaten throughout their AFC qualifying campaign, while Czechia had a far more difficult route to the tournament, scraping through via playoff penalty shootout wins over the Republic of Ireland and Denmark. That contrast in pedigree was visible early on, with Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in causing problems from the opening whistle.

Son had two good chances in the first half, first sending a shot just high of the goal in the 37th minute, then breaking through the Czechia back line a minute later only to fire wide left. Czechia were physical from the start, with Son feeling the rough treatment early, but they grew into the game and began to threaten as the half progressed.

Czechia Strike First

It was Czechia who broke the deadlock, with defender Ladislav Krejci finding the net in the 59th minute to stun South Korea and send a message to the rest of Group A. Czechia were returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, and they were not here simply to make up the numbers. The goal sparked genuine belief that they could pull off an opening day upset.

Hwang Levels It

South Korea responded immediately. Hwang In-beom corralled a perfect pass from Lee Kang-in, stopped on a dime to fake out both his defender and the Czechia goalkeeper, then softly rolled the ball into the net in the 67th minute to restore parity and silence any Czechia momentum. It was a goal of real quality and composure, and Hwang announced himself as one of the tournament’s players to watch.

The Disallowed Goal and the Killer Blow

The drama was far from over. Tomas Soucek thought he had put Czechia back in front with a header from a free kick in the 77th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Replays confirmed the call was correct. It was a devastating moment for Czechia, and South Korea made them pay almost immediately.

Oh Hyeon-gyu, brought on as a substitute, found a way to get his left foot onto a pass whipped across the face of goal by Hwang In-beom and tapped the ball home to make it 2-1. Hwang had now had a direct hand in both of South Korea’s goals on the night.

Deep into stoppage time, with South Korea clinging to their lead, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu produced a diving save to his right in the 93rd minute to ensure the three points stayed with the Taegeuk Warriors.

The Bigger Picture

South Korea move to the top of Group A on the opening night alongside Mexico, who earlier beat South Africa 2-0. South Korea have now qualified for 11 consecutive World Cups and showed exactly why they remain one of Asia’s most formidable footballing nations. For Czechia, returning to the tournament for the first time in 20 years, the performance showed they belong at this level, even if the result did not go their way.

Group A is shaping up to be one of the most competitive of the tournament, and with Mexico and South Korea both winning on Day 1, the pressure is already on Czechia and South Africa to respond in their upcoming fixtures.