South Korea's national football team opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic national football team on Thursday in Guadalajara, Mexico.

After controlling much of the match but struggling to convert chances, South Korea fell behind early in the second half before goals from Hwang In-Beom and substitute Oh Hyeon-Gu completed the turnaround.

South Korea generated the better opportunities throughout the opening half. Captain Son Heung-min fired several efforts off target, while Lee Kang-in forced a save from Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar with a long-range strike.

The Czech Republic, appearing in its first World Cup since 2006, spent much of the first half defending and entered the break level despite sustained Korean pressure.

South Korea continued to attack after halftime, with Kovar making several important saves to keep the match scoreless. However, the Czechs stunned their opponents when captain Ladislav Krejci headed home from a long throw by Vladimir Coufal to give his side a 1-0 lead.

The advantage proved short-lived.

Eight minutes later, Hwang produced a composed finish after a clever move inside the penalty area, wrong-footing defenders and the goalkeeper before rolling the ball into an empty net to equalize.

South Korea found the winner in the 79th minute when Oh Hyeon-Gu, who had entered as a substitute, redirected Hwang's low cross past Kovar. The goalkeeper got a hand to the effort but could not keep it out.

The Czech Republic nearly responded when Tomas Soucek found the net with a header, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu then produced two key late saves to preserve the lead and secure all three points.

The victory gives South Korea an early boost in Group A, while the Czech Republic will look to rebound in its next match after a promising performance ended in disappointment.