South Korea defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A opener on June 11, with Hwang In-beom netting the equalizer in the 67th minute at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Krejci had opened the scoring for the Czech Republic at the 59th minute, putting South Korea under immediate pressure in their tournament debut.
Hwang’s road back to the pitch
The 29-year-old midfielder, who plays club football for Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie, had been nursing a right ankle injury earlier in 2026. That setback raised real doubts about whether he would be fit for the World Cup at all.
With over 70 caps for the national team, Hwang’s experience proved decisive. His equalizer shifted momentum and South Korea completed the comeback to win 2-1.
