South Korea Stages Comeback Win Over Czech Republic in 2026 World Cup Opener

South Korea staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Czech Republic 3-2 in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to multiple verified reports. The match, held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 12, 2026, marked a strong start for the Asian side in the expanded 48-team tournament, which features teams from 135 nations competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico through July 19.

The result came hours after Mexico, the tournament’s co-host, secured a 4-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in the opening match. South Korea’s win, which included two second-half goals from forward Hwang In-beom, showcased the team’s resilience as they overcame a 1-0 deficit at halftime. Czech Republic’s early lead came from a 28th-minute penalty by midfielder Tomáš Kalas, who converted after a handball call in the box.

“We believed in our game plan and fought until the final whistle,” said South Korean captain Son Heung-min, who assisted on the team’s third goal. “This is just the beginning, but it gives us confidence for the next matches.”

Czech Republic coach Jaroslav Šilhavý acknowledged the defeat but praised his team’s performance. “We had the better of the first half, but South Korea’s speed and