World Cup: South Korea Beat Czech Republic 2-1

June 12, 2026

South Korea's midfielder #08 Paik Seung-ho, South Korea's midfielder #10 Lee Jae-sung and Czech Republic's midfielder #15 Pavel Sulc fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Ulises RUIZ / AFP)

South Korea finally made their dominance count as substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu struck late to secure a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their World Cup Group opener on Thursday.

For 80 minutes, it looked as though a string of missed chances would come back to haunt the Koreans inside a sparsely filled Guadalajara stadium.

But Oh, brought on from the bench, popped up with the decisive goal to give his side a winning start in the tournament.

Czech Republic’s players react after losing the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Ulises RUIZ / AFP)

The Czechs, who had defended resolutely for much of the match, had no time to respond.

South Korea face co-hosts Mexico, who beat South Africa 2-0 in the tournament’s opening Group A game earlier Thursday, on June 18.

The Czechs play the South Africans in Atlanta on the same day.

Author

Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.